Abstract
ABSTRACT A fully automated soil-moisture sensing plot sprinkler irrigation system was evaluated to determine how well the controller maintained desired soil moisture levels. In addition to evaluating its performance, the study was intended to demonstrate that automating sprinkler irrigation can provide a practical solution to ir-rigation scheduling in many areas. Using gypsum resistance block soil moisture sensors, three plots were controlled, each at a different irrigation threshold. Irrigation was initiated when any two of three sensor locations in a plot indicated the need for irrigation by dropping to the threshold level. Because of soil moisture variability, one sensor was usually below the selected threshold soil moisture level, one at the threshold level, and one above the threshold level when irrigation started. The average below-threshold deviation measured by the two irrigation initiating sensors at the start of irrigation ranged from 2.9 mm of water for plot 3 to 3.2 mm for plot 1. Assuming 6.4 mm/day averaged evapotranspiration rate, starting irrigation with the soil moisture 3.2 mm below the threshold, gave a starting time error of about one-half day.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
