Optimal Scheduling of Irrigation Machines. II: Applications and Results

Abstract

Application and results of a short-range irrigation-scheduling model for center-pivot machines are described. The irrigation-decision model sequentially optimizes the irrigation schedule to maximize net return from a center-pivot irrigation machine. Application of the model was done by using field experiments conducted in previous years and by conducting an initial field experiment. After-the-fact simulation of the irrigation-decision process using the optimal model was done for the field experiments conducted in previous years, and the results were compared with the actual field results. In the field experiment, the optimal scheduling model was compared with a conventional irrigation-scheduling method. The net return from corn under a simulated center-pivot system was increased by 7.8% over the conventional scheduling method and 10.1% over no irrigation. It was concluded that the model can aid the daily irrigation decision and the allocation of limited water supplies among competing crops under the same irrigation machine.