AUTOMATION OF SURFACE IRRIGATION BY CUT-OFF TIME OR CUT-OFF DISTANCE CONTROL

摘要

An automated surface irrigation system is described that demonstrates control by eitherrncut-off time or cut-off distance using off-the-shelf commercial products. The cut-off timerncontrol uses a standard commercial sprinkler controller to operate the gates. The cut-offrndistance system uses commercial radio transmitters and transceiver-relays commonlyrnused to operate security systems or industrial processes. These systems were eachrninstalled in four irrigation basins in a 7-ha surface irrigation research facility. Over 15rnirrigation events have been performed satisfactorily with minimal maintenance. Whilernthe immediate impetus for automation is likely to be the growing labor shortage, it isrnanticipated that water conservation benefits will be realized as well. Future research andrndevelopment needs include logic control based upon variations in flow rate and soilrnintake rate.