An ICT-based decision support system for precision irrigation management in outdoor orange and greenhouse tomato crops

Abstract

The digitalization of the agricultural sector through the implementation of cutting-edge technologies allows for the optimization of the use of water, whose scarcity has become one of the most relevant and complex environmental global problems. Water consumption data collected on site using different technologies is key to achieving optimal irrigation scheduling. Technology is also a useful tool that provides a real and transparent inventory of water use in irrigated crops. The water footprint obtained in accordance with ISO standard 14046 (using the Life Cycle Analysis methodology) and jointly with irrigation management information allows determining water use efficiency with great accuracy. This work presents a decision support system developed for precision irrigation management at farm scale called DSSPIM. The system provides a verifiable inventory of water use and an analysis/diagnosis of the adequacy of the irrigation performed using information and communication technologies (ICTs), as well as real-time knowledge of water inputs and outputs during crop development based on data received from water meters and soil moisture sensors installed in the field. Additionally, to achieve both purposes, a methodology is proposed to more accurately estimate rainwater use (green water) based on real measurements and the use of ICTs. The proposed methodology was applied during one season in two organic crops (greenhouse tomatoes and orange trees) located in southern Spain. The model allowed detecting inefficiencies in irrigation water use. A comparison between the actual management practices and the practices recommended by the DSSPIM underlines the importance of irrigation management in improving water use. In the case of orange trees, different irrigation system management scenarios were compared and showed that the application of controlled deficit irrigation strategies using DSSPIM can reduce irrigation water use by 20%.