Automated irrigation scheduling is a critical component of precision agriculture, enhancing water use efficiency, crop yield, and resource management. In recent years, advancements in technology have provided farmers with sophisticated tools to optimize irrigation practices. Here's a review of concepts and the latest recommendations in technology for automated irrigation scheduling:
1. Soil Moisture Sensors:-
Concept:-Soil moisture sensors measure the water content in the soil and provide real-time data.
Latest Recommendations:- Advances include wireless sensor networks and IoT integration. Smart irrigation controllers use this data to automate watering schedules, ensuring optimal soil moisture levels.
2. Weather-Based Systems:-
Concept:-Incorporating weather data helps adjust irrigation schedules based on current and forecasted weather conditions.
Latest Recommendations:-Advanced systems integrate local weather stations and use machine learning algorithms to predict future weather patterns. This allows for more accurate and timely adjustments to irrigation schedules.
3. Crop Coefficient Models:-
Concept:- Crop coefficients are used to adjust irrigation schedules based on crop type and growth stage.
Latest Recommendations:-
Modern systems utilize satellite imagery and remote sensing technology to monitor crop conditions and growth stages. This data is then integrated into irrigation scheduling algorithms for precise water management.
Modern systems utilize satellite imagery and remote sensing technology to monitor crop conditions and growth stages. This data is then integrated into irrigation scheduling algorithms for precise water management.Modern systems utilize satellite imagery and remote sensing technology to monitor crop conditions and growth stages. This data is then integrated into irrigation scheduling algorithms for precise water management.
4. ET-Based (Evapotranspiration) Scheduling:-
Concept:- ET-based scheduling calculates the water needs of crops based on factors like temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation.
Latest Recommendations:- Integration with on-site weather stations and satellite-based ET data enhances accuracy. Automated controllers use this information to adapt irrigation schedules dynamically.
5.Decision Support Systems:-
Concept:- Decision support systems integrate various data sources to provide actionable insights for irrigation management.
Latest Recommendations:- Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms are increasingly being employed to analyze large datasets. These systems provide farmers with real-time recommendations for irrigation scheduling based on historical data, current conditions, and future predictions.Latest Recommendations:- Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms are increasingly being employed to analyze large datasets. These systems provide farmers with real-time recommendations for irrigation scheduling based on historical data, current conditions, and future predictions.
6. Remote Monitoring and Control:-
Concept:- Farmers can monitor and control irrigation systems remotely through mobile applications or web interfaces.
Latest Recommendations:- Advances include the use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, allowing for seamless connectivity and real-time control. This facilitates quick adjustments to irrigation schedules based on changing conditions.
7. Drones and Satellite Imagery:-
Concept:- Drones and satellites provide high-resolution imagery to monitor crop health and identify areas that require additional irrigation.
Latest Recommendations:- Machine learning algorithms process imagery data to detect stress levels in crops. This information is then used to fine-tune irrigation schedules and ensure targeted water application.
8. Integration with Smart Farming Platforms:-
Concept:-Automated irrigation systems are integrated into broader smart farming platforms for comprehensive farm management.
Latest Recommendations:-Integration with precision agriculture platforms enables farmers to combine data from multiple sources, including soil sensors, weather stations, and crop monitoring tools, for holistic decision-making.
In conclusion, the latest advancements in technology for automated irrigation scheduling focus on precision, real-time data integration, and intelligent decision-making. As these technologies continue to evolve, farmers can expect even more sophisticated tools to enhance water use efficiency and optimize crop yields.
To Start this discussion it would be worth reading this outstanding Paper on "Irrigation Efficiency Paradox" (IEP): Grafton, R. Q., Williams, J., Perry, C. J., Molle, F., Ringler, C., Steduto, P., ... & Allen, R. G. (2018). The paradox of irrigation efficiency. Science, 361(6404), 748-750. Abstract: Reconciling higher freshwater demands with finite freshwater resources remains one of the great policy dilemmas. Given that crop irrigation constitutes 70% of global water extractions, which contributes up to 40% of globally available calories (1), governments often support increases in irrigation efficiency (IE), promoting advanced technologies to improve the “crop per drop.” This provides private benefits to irrigators and is justified, in part, on the premise that increases in IE “save” water for reallocation to other sectors, including cities and the environment. Yet substantial scientific evidence (2) has long shown that increased IE rarely delivers the presumed public-good benefits of increased water availability. Decision-makers typically have not known or understood the importance of basin-scale water accounting or of the behavioral responses of irrigators to subsidies to increase IE. We show that to mitigate global water scarcity, increases in IE must be accompanied by robust water accounting and measurements, a cap on extractions, an assessment of uncertainties, the valuation of trade-offs, and a better understanding of the incentives and behavior of irrigators.
Available on:
https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/97087/The%20Paradox%20of%20irrigation%20efficiency_Science.pdf?sequence=1
See Also:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Sciences_Paradoxes
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Water_Footprint_Water_Colors_Blue_Water_Green_Water_Grey_Water_Virtual_Water
See Also This General Chapter on "Water Demand Management and Non Conventional Resources". In: National Water Security. Springer, Cham, by Besbes, M., Chahed, J., Hamdane, A. (2019).
After a preamble devoted to water demand management (WDM) principles in Tunisia, the chapter examines aspects relating to water supply and management conditions, and major challenges in water use key areas: drinking water and agriculture. Use of non conventional waters: desalination and treated wastewater reuse, are considered as an extension to demand management policies. For drinking water, WDM includes technical measures and pricing. Institutionally, the question arises of the long-term sustainability of the current dichotomous management for drinking water supply and sanitation. In irrigation, WDM strategy is based on modernization of collective irrigation systems, water savings at the plot, and pricing policies. Later sections analyze non conventional resources, desalination and wastewater recycling. Number of constraints hinder recycling large-scale development: inadequate treatments against salinity, restrictive uses due to treatment variability, state of repair of treatment plants, not conducive to maintaining acceptable quality levels. In 2010, the total desalination production was 40 million m3/year. Future desalination programs forecast to bring this capacity to almost 120 million m3 in 2030. The country is not equipped to face the challenges of such a perspective, but some measures may help, like appropriate regulations and standardization, institutional organization to plan, implement, evaluate and monitor the national water desalination program.
Besbes, M., Chahed, J., Hamdane, A. (2019), National Water Security, Case Study of an Arid Country: Tunisia, Edition Springer. Book presentation from SpringerLink,
Book National Water Security, Case Study of an Arid Country: Tunisia
French Edition of the book: Sécurité Hydrique de la Tunisie, Gérer l'eau en conditions de pénurie. L'Harmattan, 2014, Paris.
Chapters Available on:
Chapter Sécurité Hydrique de la Tunisie : Préface & Introduction
Chapter Les Problèmes de l’Eau dans le Monde
Chapter Cinquante ans de politiques de l’eau, 1960-2010
Chapter Le Bilan Hydrique National
Chapter Le bilan Hydrique Intégral : Eau Bleue, Eau Verte et Eau Virtuelle
Chapter Sécurité Hydrique de la Tunisie, les questions en débat.
Chapter Sécurité Hydrique de la Tunisie : Conclusion & Postface
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