Development of a Wireless Sensor Network for Tracking Flood Irrigation Management in Production-Sized Rice Fields in the Mid-South

Abstract

HighlightsDeployed a wireless sensor network to track flood irrigation management in ~255 ha production scale rice fieldsUltrasonic sensors were installed in rice fields and water level data were wirelessly transmitted for the growing seasonStudy found significant relationship between automated and manual measurement methodsPotential benefits of using wireless sensor networks are described Abstract. The inclusion of automation in agricultural irrigation may improve crop management by providing organized, site-specific, and real-time information to producers. The objective of this study was to develop a rugged, wireless sensor network (WSN) and infrastructure to retrieve, process, and disseminate sensor data installed in remote rice fields. The study took place during the 2018 rice production season in eastern Arkansas. A working prototype WSN (consisting of 24 sensor nodes) was assembled and field-tested in sixteen production-sized (approximately 16 ha each) irrigated rice fields. Data were collected during the growing season and included water depth and soil water. The WSN retrieved, processed, and disseminated in-situ data from the production fields to a remote computer server. Data were made viewable via a web browser on internet-connected computers and mobile devices. The analysis quantified the benefits, costs, and practical usability of the system to assist with field condition monitoring and irrigation management in production-sized rice farming operations. Water level measurements using the WSN unit were significantly related to the actual measurements in Multiple-inlet rice irrigation (MIRI), Row rice (ROW), and Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation treatments (r = 0.453 to 0.946, p = <0.0001). However, the reliability of this equipment was challenged by field installation and maintenance. Several in-house troubleshooting methods are discussed to ensure accurate usage of this automated system in future deployments. The results of the study indicated the use of the ultrasonic sensor for estimating water level in MIRI, ROW and AWD irrigation to be a viable solution for future WSN development. The functional WSN supported sensors for automated water level and soil water measurements that could, in future, provide real-time knowledge of the field condition, and enhance resource management for the producer. Keywords: Field condition monitoring, Production scale field monitoring, Remote sensor, Wireless sensor, Wireless sensor network.