Variable Rate Irrigation Decision Method Using Optimized Sensor Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current variable rate irrigation systems lack scientific decision-making methods for precise spatial management, limiting their effectiveness and widespread adoption due to reliance on incomplete sensor data and ignoring temporal and spatial changes in crop water deficit.
Innovation Solution
A decision-making method that involves soil sampling, division into AWC management zones, construction of optimized soil and airborne sensor networks, and variable rate irrigation strategies based on soil moisture, canopy temperature, and weather data to create dynamic prescription maps for irrigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If variable rate irrigation systems are implemented, then water management level and water use efficiency are improved, but lack of scientific decision-making methods limits their popularization and application
Solution Approach 1:
The field is divided into multiple management zones based on soil AWC characteristics, and further segmented into different irrigation treatment zones based on crop water deficit. This segmentation allows variable rate irrigation to be implemented in a structured manner, improving water management reliability while making the complex system more manageable through zonal control.
Solution Approach 2:
Soil AWC is measured and management zones are established before the irrigation season begins. This preliminary characterization of soil properties provides the foundation for subsequent real-time irrigation decisions, reducing the complexity of on-the-fly system management while maintaining high water management reliability.
2Measurement precision
If complex sensor networks are integrated, then real-time field sensing and dynamic prescription maps can be generated, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different sensor types are deployed strategically in different locations: soil moisture sensors are placed in specific management zones, while airborne thermal infrared sensors survey the entire field. This localized sensor deployment optimizes measurement precision for real-time field sensing while reducing overall system complexity by avoiding uniform dense sensor coverage across the entire field.
Solution Approach 2:
The airborne thermal infrared sensor system serves multiple functions: it detects crop water deficit, monitors canopy temperature, and provides spatial distribution information across the entire field. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized sensor systems, thereby measuring precision with reduced complexity.
3Loss of energy
If uniform irrigation is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but water use efficiency is limited compared to variable rate irrigation
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system transitions from static uniform application to dynamic variable rate application based on real-time crop water deficit conditions. Irrigation rates are adjusted dynamically according to spatial variations in crop water demand and soil moisture status, improving water use efficiency by applying water only where and when needed, while the zonal control approach keeps the system complexity manageable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves measurement accuracy and reduces costs by accounting for temporal and spatial changes in crop water deficit, enhancing water management precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
constructing an optimized soil moisture sensor network
Implementation Method 2
constructing an optimized airborne canopy temperature sensor network centered on a center pivot of the irrigation sprinkler
Data Source
AI summary
A decision-making method for variable rate irrigation management includes the following steps: S1: sampling a soil from a root zone of a crop in an area controlled by an irrigation sprinkler, and measuring compositions of separates of the sampled soil; S2: managing and dividing the area controlled by the irrigation sprinkler according to an AWC of the soil in the root zone of the crop; S3: constructing an optimized soil moisture sensor network; S4: placing ground-fixed canopy temperature sensors; S5: constructing an optimized airborne canopy temperature sensor network centered on the center pivot; and S6: performing a variable rate irrigation by using the optimized soil moisture sensor network, the fixed canopy temperature sensors, the optimized airborne canopy temperature sensor network and an automatic weather station. The method optimizes the placement and quantity of the soil moisture sensor network and the canopy temperature sensor network to improve the measurement accuracy.