Smart Irrigation Technologies Research Articles

The Application of Smart Drip Irrigation System for Precision Farming

Managing water resources in urban areas is relatively expensive due to the costs of electricity and water distribution from wells and water companies. Therefore, water resource management for urban agricultural purposes needs to be made efficient, such as through smart irrigation technologies, one of which is the drip irrigation system that engages soil moisture sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT) to control the amount of distributed water. This study aims to apply and evaluate the performance of a drip irrigation system based on soil moisture sensors and IoT in urban agriculture. The results showed that the distribution uniformity in the system was identified at fair levels, with a Coefficient of Uniformity (CU) of 90.15% and 86.58%, respectively. Furthermore, our study also found that the IoT-assisted drip irrigation system that engaged a Deep Neural Networks (DNN) model to meet the water requirement led to better peanut yield than the irrigation system based on soil moisture as a control.

GSM Based Smart Irrigation System with Micro Controller Powered by Solar Panel

In recent years, the smart irrigation industry is forecasted to elevate the market value to USD 1,404.4 million, with an anticipated annual compound growth rate of 13.84%. This surge is credited to the significant enhancements in Research and Development, which have catalyzed the advancement and expansion of energy-efficient smart irrigation technologies. Such advancements are propelling the rapid development within the agricultural tech sector. Moreover, the prevalence of extreme climatic conditions globally necessitates highly efficient irrigation systems to adapt to such environmental challenges. India, predominantly an agrarian society, relies heavily on its farming community. The pivotal role of farmers is undeniable in contributing to the nation’s agricultural output. Agriculture remains a fundamental aspect of sustenance for a vast majority of the Indian population, playing a vital role in the economic stability of the country.

Performance Evaluation of the Water Advisory for Irrigation Scheduling System (WAISS) Capacitance Soil Moisture Sensor

The agriculture sector accounts for 80% of the total freshwater resource use in the Philippines. With increasing competition for the scarce water supply, it is necessary to utilize water resources efficiently. The application of smart irrigation technology can help achieve higher water use efficiency, increase farm water productivity, and maximize crop yield. To minimize excess or insufficient irrigation water application to crops, and provide more effective and efficient water management, an integrated water monitoring system called Water Advisory for Irrigation Scheduling System (WAISS) was developed. The performance of WAISS was initially evaluated by comparing the soil moisture measurements of its capacitance soil moisture sensor with a commercially developed sensor and the standard gravimetric method. Statistical analysis shows that the low-cost WAISS soil moisture sensors are comparable with the commercially developed sensors with a Percent Error of 5.5% compared to METER ECH2O EC-5's 16.1%. This highlights WAISS' potential as a cost-effective yet reliable alternative for soil moisture monitoring.

An Overview of Smart Irrigation Management for Improving Water Productivity under Climate Change in Drylands

Global drylands, covering about 41% of Earth’s surface and inhabited by 38% of the world’s population, are facing the stark challenges of water scarcity, low water productivity, and food insecurity. This paper highlights the major constraints to agricultural productivity, traditional irrigation scheduling methods, and associated challenges, efforts, and progress to enhance water use efficiency (WUE), conserve water, and guarantee food security by overviewing different smart irrigation approaches. Widely used traditional irrigation scheduling methods (based on weather, plant, and soil moisture conditions) usually lack important information needed for precise irrigation, which leads to over- or under-irrigation of fields. On the other hand, by using several factors, including soil and climate variation, soil properties, plant responses to water deficits, and changes in weather factors, smart irrigation can drive better irrigation decisions that can help save water and increase yields. Various smart irrigation approaches, such as artificial intelligence and deep learning (artificial neural network, fuzzy logic, expert system, hybrid intelligent system, and deep learning), model predictive irrigation systems, variable rate irrigation (VRI) technology, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could ensure high water use efficiency in water-scarce regions. These smart irrigation technologies can improve water management and accelerate the progress in achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where no one gets left behind.

Solar Powered Smart Irrigation Plant System Using Microcontroller

The design and the implementation of introducing smart irrigation technology enhances the effectiveness of water utilization and will help farmers make their activities more beneficial. it is to increase the agriculture sustainability in common and considering the characteristics of irrigation in the rural areas. This report brings forward new device based on wireless networks such as solar photovoltaic technology, Arduino-based controllers, transmitters, receivers, and sensor nodes are used to measure solar, soil moisture, humidity, temperature, and the sensor readings are transmitted to a remote station. Experimental results indicated that the developed system could provide a sustainable solution to enhance the efficiency of water use and to preserve it in the agricultural fields while using solar photovoltaic energy as a renewable power supply Encouraging the use of this energy-efficient system in various sectors creates a slowly declining cost to build-up the solar technology. Another sensor is implemented to measure the water tank level which serves as storage capacity that supplies the water to the system. With the integration of IoT, automated irrigation can be easily access and remotely monitored over the mobile application through a wireless communication device.

A review on smart irrigation management strategies and their effect on water savings and crop yield

AbstractAppropriate irrigation water management has attracted a considerable degree of attention because it is crucial to guarantee water and food security worldwide. A smart irrigation system is applied for the rational use of water in agricultural fields and for maximizing crop yield. Thus, the high demand for water resources is decreased, and the adverse environmental impacts of irrigation are reduced. Different irrigation approaches were developed to reduce overirrigation by assessing the soil moisture content or crop water stress index. This paper aims to review conventional and smart irrigation technologies and discuss their effect on water savings, yield, and crop quality. The analysis of prominent studies highlighted that the water use efficiency based on soil moisture sensors depends on the volumetric moisture content threshold value set by farmers. Soil moisture sensor controllers, evapotranspiration controllers, and rain sensors have been shown to save 20%–92%, 20%–71%, and 7%–50% of water, respectively, while maintaining crop growth and quality. The optical sensor‐based system showed a better ability to assess crop and soil variability in the field than the on‐site measurements. The conventional controlled deficit irrigation technique was found to decrease the crop yield to less than 25% with water savings of up to 13%.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Productivity by Smallholder Farmers in Arid Areas of South Africa

The adoption of climate-smart irrigation technologies amongst smallholder farmers generally remains low beside their role in combating food and nutrition security in a society and in climate change adaptation strategies. This study identified the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decision to adopt Climate Smart Irrigation Technologies (CSIT) in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected through the completion of a face-to-face structured questionnaire by 100 smallholder farmers selected through convenience and purposive sampling. A probit regression and OLS model were used to identify factors that influence the smallholder farmer’s decision to adopt CSIT and the level of adoption. The results indicated that only 46% of the smallholder farmers adopted climate-smart irrigation technologies and suggested that adoption is influenced positively by factors such as gender, age, district, farm size, staple food production and knowledge on CSIT. There is an urgent need for related stakeholders to transform the smallholder farmer subsector through improved extension services, training, adopting resilient crop varieties, promoting underutilized and nutrient-dense crops adapted to harsh local conditions, and other interventions. This should be done by promoting awareness to smallholder farmers regarding these interventions and new technologies that have the potential to improve rural livelihoods and enhance resilience and adaptation.

SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEM USING RASPBERRY PI

In India most of people is doing work related agriculture directly or indirectly. An economy of India is mostly affected by agriculture related activities. To check water level of well, farmer have to go to farm and start water pump. Sometimes he has to go in night. If fire is spread in farm how farmer can know? If he know about it, he cannot do anything about it because many plants burned .In this project, we will make one smart irrigation system which will notify farmer on his registered mobile device and email address, if the soil is dry and it need watering, using soil moisture sensor and also notify by glowing bulb and start motor which is attached with main controller. System is also measuring the water level of well and notify the farmer two times a day. For fire detection we used flame detection sensor and if fire is there in farm system will notify the farmer and also buzzer will blow. The aim of this project is to develop a smart irrigation monitoring system using raspberry pi. Focus area will be parameters such as temperature and soil moisture. This system will be a substitute to traditional farming method. We will develop such a system that will help a farmer to know his field status in his home or he may be residing in any part of the world. It proposes an automatic irrigation system for the agricultural lands. Currently the automation is one of the important role in the human life. It not only provide comfort but also reduce energy, efficiency and time saving. Now the industries use automation and control machine which is high in cost and not suitable for using in a farm field. So here it also to design a smart irrigation technology in low cost which is usable by Indian farmers.Raspberry pi is the main heart of the whole system. An automated irrigation system was developed to optimize water use for agricultural crops. Automation allows us to control appliances automatically. The objectives of this project were to control the water motor automatically, monitor the plant growth using webcam and we can also watch live streaming of farm on android mobiles by using wifi.

Design and Fabrication the Smart Irrigation Technology Using Soil Moisture Sensor System for Vine in Ninh Thuan, Vietnam

Vietnam’s agricultural production depends heavily on natural conditions such as land, weather and irrigation water. Due to the impacts of climate change, the Central Highlands and the South-Central Coast region, Vietnam often suffer from prolonged drought conditions, wilting many crops such as coffee, apple grapes, pepper causing damage big socio-economy, affecting people’s lives. According to the survey results of the Central Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI), over 73% of farmers irrigate water for crops, wasting water resources and increasing production costs. Therefore, the research for advanced irrigation technology, can determine the appropriate amount of irrigation water, at the right time for each type of crop, thereby saving the maximum amount of irrigation water but still ensuring productivity and capacity increase. In this study, we will develop methods, models and designs smart, economical irrigation systems using humidity sensors to regulate the amount of irrigation water sufficiently and at the right time by solar energy. We have designed a soil moisture sensor system using wireless sensor networks technology for remote control for watering enough and at the right time to supply crops. The Soil Moisture Sensor (Soil Moisture Sensor with accuracy: 0 ∼ 50% (m3/m3) within ± 4% of working voltage: DC 3 - 5V. Average current <10 mA) with forecast time is about 1 ∼ 60 minutes/time and operation time without solar power > 16 hours. Moreover, we have built a process of smart watering technology based on the Soil Moisture Sensor system and remote control for vine in Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam for the Vine farm 1000 m2. The system has been tested in reality in vine research area in Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam for the Vine farm with 1000 m2. The system includes automatic sensors connected to the central controller and the pump is simplified by buttons on the electrical cabinet or on the phone application, making it convenient for the farmer to operate and apply.

Homeowners’ Preferences for Smart Irrigation Systems and Features

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Drought conditions make landscape irrigation and reducing water use top-of-mind for many Floridians. Encouraging wise water use is of particular importance to the smart irrigation industry and water policy makers. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Dong Hee Suh, and Michael Dukes and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department pinpoints key attributes and barriers affecting consumers' irrigation purchases and their adoption of smart irrigation technologies. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1080&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Editorial—Managing and Planning Water Resources for Irrigation: Smart-Irrigation Systems for Providing Sustainable Agriculture and Maintaining Ecosystem Services

Smart-irrigation systems are a hot topic in irrigation management. Satellite imaging, sensors and controls, communication technologies and irrigation decision models are readily available. The price of the required technology is being reduced year after year, and its implementation in agriculture gives real-time information that allows for more accurate management of water resources. Even so, the adaptation of existing technologies to particular situations that the irrigation management is facing in different agro-environmental contexts is needed. This Special Issue addresses the application of different smart-irrigation technologies in four different research areas: (1) remote sensing-based estimates of crop evapotranspiration, (2) Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for smart-irrigation, (3) precision irrigation models and controls, and (4) the price of natural resources. The nine papers presented in this special issue cover a wide range of practical applications, and this editorial summarizes each of them.

Irrigation Savings from Smart Irrigation Technologies and a Smartphone App on Turfgrass

HighlightsAll tested smart irrigation technologies regulated irrigation based on real-time soil moisture and weather conditions.Treatments based on SMS, ET, or smartphone app applied less water than the comparison treatment by 51% to 63%, 28% to 66%, and 51% to 63%, respectively.The payback period for the different technologies ranged between 0 and 12 months.Abstract. A plot study comparing a variety of irrigation scheduling technologies was conducted in Gainesville, Florida, from 2015 to 2017. Our study objectives were to: (1) compare the ability of different irrigation scheduling technologies to bypass scheduled irrigation cycles and/or decrease water application; and (2) compare water savings. Twelve irrigation scheduling treatments were investigated, with each replicated three or four times. Treatments included time-based schedules without sensor feedback (WOS), with a rain sensor, deficit irrigation with a rain sensor, and non-irrigated. Also included were three soil moisture sensor (SMS) based treatments, three weather or ET-based treatments (ET), and two smartphone app-based treatments. Significant differences in turfgrass quality among all treatments (including non-irrigated) were not observed during the testing periods, which tended to be wetter than normal. Compared to WOS, the SMS, ET, and smartphone app treatments achieved water savings of 51% to 63%, 28% to 66%, and 51% to 63%, respectively, depending on treatment specifics. Inclusion of additional practices, such as a split irrigation strategy (half in the morning and half in the evening) and seasonal deficit irrigation, were shown to be advantageous in an area where rainfall is frequent and a substantial contributor to plant water needs. The SMS treatments saved water by bypassing scheduled irrigation cycles, the ET controllers saved water mainly through lower application depths, while the app-based treatments saved water through a combination of bypassing and applying lower irrigation depths. The payback period for the evaluated scheduling technologies ranged between 0 and 12 months. Financial and practical considerations should be included when recommending or acquiring one of these irrigation scheduling technologies. Keywords: Evapotranspiration controllers, Smart irrigation controllers, Smartphone apps, Soil moisture sensors.

IoT Based Automatic Soil Moisture Monitoring System using Raspberry PI

Internet of Things (IoT) is an advanced technology for monitoring and controlling device anywhere in the world. It can connect devices with living things. Agriculture is one of the major sectors which contribute a lot to the financial of India and to get quality product, proper irrigation has to be performed, to reduce man power using modern technology of internet of things IoT in today’s life. Soil moisture is an integral part of plant life, which directly affects crop growth and yield, as well as irrigation scheduling. This system will be a substitute to traditional farming method. We will develop such a system that will help a farmer to know his field status in his home or he may be residing in any part of the world. It proposes an automatic irrigation system for the agricultural lands. Currently the automation is one of the important roles in the human life. It is not only provides comfort but also efficiency and time saving. So here it is also designs a smart irrigation technology by using raspberry pi and connecting to the weather API. Raspberry-pi is the main heart of the whole system. An automated irrigation system was developed to optimize water use for agricultural crops. Automation allows us to control appliances automatically. The objectives of this to control the water motor automatically, To monitor the soil, water level using weather API.A robotized irrigation system framework might have been created should streamline water utilize to agriculture crops. Mechanization permits us with control appliances naturally. Those targets for this on control those water motor naturally monitor the soil, water level utilizing weather API In previously we are using the soil moisture control by using some set of sensors by this water is pumping continuously even though it is rainy.so by this over flow of the water is taken place to overcome this problem we are using the cloud monitoring system based on the weather conditions.

Investigating Homeowners’ Preferences for Smart Irrigation Technology Features

Smart irrigation systems are relatively new technologies that optimize irrigation schedules in residential landscapes, thus leading to reduced irrigation water use and potential contamination. To promote the use of such technologies, the landscape services industry has introduced innovative features such as the integration of local weather data into irrigation controller systems or mobile phone control and alert notifications that help to facilitate usability and prevent over-irrigation. Very few studies have addressed homeowners’ preferences for outdoor irrigation technologies. This study investigates homeowners’ preferences for smart irrigation systems for residential landscapes. We utilized online survey data to examine how homeowners’ knowledge and perceptions influence their preferences for specific features such as automatic failure alert and notifications, mobile control, integration with weather-based and soil-moisture sensor-based irrigation, home automation, and touchscreen displays. Results estimated by the rank-ordered logit model revealed that knowledge and perceptions of smart irrigation controllers are significantly correlated with homeowners’ preferences for water efficiency features. The results offer practical implications for policymakers and the residential irrigation industry as they develop and promote smart irrigation technologies to conserve water resources.

Who Is Interested in Purchasing Smart Irrigation Systems?

Water scarcity concerns have led to revolutionary new smart technologies for residential landscape irrigation, including evapotranspiration and soil-moisture sensor systems. The adoption of smart irrigation technologies into residential landscapes, however, has been slow. This 7-page publication written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Caroline R. Warwick, and Michael Dukes and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department provides an overview of how different consumer groups perceive smart irrigation technology and the best promotions to encourage smart irrigation adoption in home landscapes. It is designed for landscapers, irrigation specialists, and marketing professionals who work with and are interested in promoting smart irrigation technologies to end consumers. Firms can use the results to tailor marketing strategies to target relevant customer segments and create promotions to encourage homeowners to adopt water-saving irrigation technologies. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1069

Solar powered smart irrigation system based on low cost wireless network: A senior design project experience

This paper presents the design and the implementation of a smart irrigation system supplied from solar energy using off-shelf components as part of a senior design project. Introducing smart irrigation technology enhances the effectiveness of water utilization and will help farmers make their activities more beneficial. In addition, it is to increase the agriculture sustainability in common and considering the characteristics of irrigation in the rural areas. This paper brings forward new device based on wireless networks such as solar photovoltaic technology, Arduino-based controllers, transmitters, receivers, and sensor nodes are used to measure soil moisture, humidity, temperature, and the sensor readings are transmitted to a remote station. Experimental results indicated that the developed system could provide a sustainable solution to enhance the efficiency of water use and to preserve it in the agricultural fields while using solar photovoltaic energy as a renewable power supply.

Towards sustainable water management: Preferences and willingness to pay for smart landscape irrigation technologies

Urbanization trends, leading to growing irrigated residential landscapes continue to escalate concerns on surface, ground, and drinking water quantity and quality among environmental groups and regulatory agencies. While automated lawn irrigation systems established in urban areas are critical factors affecting water quantity and quality, homeowners’ water use may vary with their preferences for lawn irrigation systems. The choice of an irrigation system is not determined only by local restrictions or policies but also by homeowners’ preferences. Further, individuals’ preferences can be influenced by the availability of product-specific attributes such as evapotranspiration or soil-moisture based controllers (known as smart irrigation controllers). With a focus on single-family home residents in California, Florida, and Texas, the present study uses the discrete choice analysis framework to link smart irrigation attributes (e.g., sensor types, wireless operation, remote control, alert notification) and monetary incentives (e.g., annual water bill savings, rebates) to preferences and willingness-to-pay. Results indicate that homeowners prefer smart irrigation controllers to conventional automated systems, and that savings on annual water bills could be one of the most important features determining adoption of smart irrigation controllers. Controller features such as the type of operation (i.e., wireless/on-site weather station) and system malfunction alert/notification also impacted homeowners’ preferences. The findings provide practical insights into the promotion of smart irrigation controllers that can be integrated with educational campaigns, or advertisements highlighting benefits of smart irrigation technologies. Clearer understanding about homeowners’ preferences could serve as a feedback loop for policy makers and improve water policies at state and local levels.

Relating Knowledge and Perceptions of Sustainable Water Management to Preferences for Smart Irrigation Technology

Water quantity and quality concerns in urban environments have prompted conservation groups, governmental agencies, and policy makers to develop and promote residential water conservation programs, including restrictions on residential landscape irrigation practices and incentives for the adoption of water-efficient appliances. Previous literature links household characteristics, financial incentives, and demographic characteristics to the adoption of water-efficient appliances and overall water use. However, relatively little attention has been given toward understanding how homeowners’ perceptions and knowledge of smart irrigation technologies affect their preferences or stated purchase likelihood of such irrigation equipment. To address this gap in the literature, this paper identifies perception- and knowledge-related factors that are correlated with the purchase likelihood of smart irrigation controllers. The generalized logit regression model results suggest that knowledge about irrigation systems and residential landscaping are positively correlated with purchase likelihood. Similarly, homeowners’ perceptions about conservation efforts, water restrictions, and their neighbors’ irrigation habits all increase purchase likelihood. Combined with statistically-significant correlations of several socio-demographic variables and purchase likelihood, these results have theoretical and practical implications, which are summarized in this paper.

Water Conservation Potential of Smart Irrigation Technologies in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin

AbstractA 3-year study was conducted in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin during the spring and summer months of 2009–2011 to evaluate the water savings potential of three smart irrigation controllers compared with standard timer-based irrigation controllers. Thirty-six residential sites, 12 on each of three Duke Energy lakes (Lake Norman, Lake Hickory, and Lake Wylie), were selected for the study. Each site had an automated, underground irrigation system that directly drew water from the Duke Energy lake that the property bordered. None of the systems had previously been metered and there was no charge to homeowners for withdrawing water from the bordering lake. All sites were instrumented with water meters in 2009 to monitor irrigation water withdrawals, and irrigation system audits were performed before installation of smart technologies. After collecting baseline water-use data in 2009, existing controllers were replaced with one of three smart controllers at 27 of the study sites in 2010, and irrigatio...

Intervention scenarios to manage seawater intrusion in a coastal agricultural area in Oman

The Batinah coastal plain in northern Oman has experienced a severe deterioration of groundwater quality due to seawater intrusion as a result of excessive groundwater abstraction for agricultural irrigation. Upgrading all farms to fully automated irrigation technology based on soil moisture sensors may significantly reduce the water demand and lead to recovering groundwater levels. This study compares the effects of smart irrigation technology, recharge dams, and a combination of both on seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifer of the Batinah. A groundwater flow and transport model is used to simulate the effect of reduced pumping rates on seawater intrusion for various intervention scenarios over a simulation period of 30 years, and an economic analysis based on cost-benefit analysis is conducted to estimate the potential benefits. Results indicate that a combination of smart irrigation and recharge dams may prevent further deterioration of groundwater quality over the next 30 years. In conjunction with increased efficiency, this combination also generates the highest gross profit. This outcome shows that the problem of seawater intrusion needs to be tackled by a comprehensive, integrated intervention strategy.