Dynamic Crop Coefficients for Sensor-Free Irrigation Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation methods lack precision in determining the amount of water to apply during each irrigation event and the timing between events, leading to overwatering or underwatering of crops, which results in unoptimized crop production.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for computing a dynamic crop coefficient based on data from existing crop evapotranspiration sensors in a reference field, allowing for precise planning of irrigation events in target fields without installed sensors, using potential evapotranspiration parameters from global data sources when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If standard crop coefficients are used for irrigation planning, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision (irrigation accuracy) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses satellite imagery to create a digital copy of crop canopy characteristics, allowing the system to estimate crop coefficients remotely without physical sensors in each field. This copying approach maintains accuracy while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical crop evapotranspiration sensors with satellite-based remote sensing and image processing algorithms. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical sensing infrastructure while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy
2Measurement precision
If crop evapotranspiration sensors are installed in every target field, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes satellite imagery and processing algorithms serve multiple fields simultaneously. A single satellite pass can monitor numerous target fields, providing universal measurement capability without requiring field-specific sensor installations
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of crop characteristics through satellite imagery that can be analyzed remotely. These image copies replace the need for physical sensor copies in each field, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
3Ease of operation
If irrigation planning is based on inaccurate water requirements, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to overwatering or underwatering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback loops where satellite imagery continuously monitors crop conditions, updates crop coefficient estimates, and adjusts irrigation recommendations. This feedback mechanism maintains ease of operation through automated recommendations while improving productivity through accurate, adaptive irrigation planning
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary irrigation planning using satellite-based crop coefficient estimates before irrigation events occur. This preliminary action allows farmers to prepare optimal irrigation schedules in advance, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring productive water application
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a method of planning irrigation, comprising: performing for a certain interval of time: computing a value of a crop evapotranspiration parameter indicative of an amount of water consumed by a reference crop, computing a value of a potential evapotranspiration parameter indicative of weather conditions associated with the field of the reference crop, computing a value of a dynamic crop coefficient for the reference crop based on the crop evapotranspiration parameter and the potential evapotranspiration parameter, and providing the dynamic crop coefficient computed for the certain time interval of time of the reference crop that corresponds to a target time interval of a target growing season of the target crop, wherein the target crop is growing in a target field which is geographically distinct from the reference field, and outputting instructions for irrigation of the target crop according to an irrigation plan based on the dynamic crop coefficient.