Automation of Pivot Sprinkler Irrigation Systems to More Efficiently Utilize Rainfall and Irrigation Water

摘要

Development of automated pivot sprinkler irrigation systems was studied near Earth, Texas, using irrigation systems on producers farms. Evaluation undertook to determine whether such automated systems use less water/energy than manually-operated systems. Sensors with transmitters and receivers (separately or in combination) were constructed and tested to control the irrigation systems by wind, soil water tension, and rainfall. It was not possible to determine whether automated systems use less water/energy than manually-operated systems, principally due to low capacity of the wells. Wind/rainfall controls can increase water use efficiency more than soil water sensor controls, while wind controls during pre-irrigation could aid producers having remote irrigation systems.