Automatic Irrigation Scheduling on a Hedgerow Olive Orchard Using an Algorithm of Water Balance Readjusted with Soil Moisture Sensors

Sensors

Sandra Millán¹  MariaHenarPrieto¹  JuanManuel Pérez-Rodríguez¹  Carlos Campillo¹  Jaume Casadesús² 

[1] Centre for Scientific and Technological Research of Extremadura (CICYTEX), Department of Horticulture, Finca La Orden, Regional Government of Extremadura, Highway A-V, Km 372, 06187 Guadajira, Badajoz, Spain;Program of Efficient Use of Water in Agriculture, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Parc de Gardeny (PCiTAL), Fruitcentre, 25003 Lleida, Spain;

关键词: apparent electrical conductivity;    NDVI;    water use efficiency;    precision irrigation;    capacitive sensors;   

DOI  :  10.3390/s20092526

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Recent technological advances have made possible automated irrigation scheduling using decision-support tools. These tools help farmers to make better decisions in the management of their irrigation system, thus increasing yields while preserving water resources. The aim of this study is to evaluate in a commercial plot an automated irrigation system combined with remote-sensing techniques and soil mapping that allows the establishment of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies. The study was carried out over 3 years (2015–2017) in a commercial hedgerow olive orchard of the variety ‘Arbequina’ located in Alvarado (Extremadura, Spain). An apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) map and a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) map were generated to characterize the spatial variability of the plot and classify the zones in homogeneous areas. Then, reference points were selected to monitor the different irrigation sectors. In 2015, the plot was irrigated according to the farmer’s technical criteria throughout the plot. In 2016 and 2017, two different areas of the plot were irrigated applying an RDI strategy, one under expert supervision and the other automatically. The results show that in a heterogeneous plot the use of new technologies can be useful to establish the ideal location for an automatic irrigation system. Furthermore, automatic irrigation scheduling made it possible to establish an RDI strategy recommended by an expert, resulting in the homogenization of production throughout the plot without the need for human intervention.

【 授权许可】

Unknown