Efficient Real-Time Furrow Irrigation Control on Clay Soils
This study evaluates methods for optimal irrigation duration on cracking clay soils without complex data processing, improving water use efficiency. Comparison of Autofurrow, set distance cut-off, and guidelines based on advance rate. Results indicate better performance than average practices. Available methods adaptable to changing soil properties and moisture deficit.
Efficient Real-Time Furrow Irrigation Control on Clay Soils
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Presentation Transcript
Selection of irrigation duration for high performance furrow irrigation on cracking clay soilsRod Smith, JasimUddin, Malcolm Gillies
Research question Is there a simple objective way of estimating time to cut-off for furrows in real-time & that does not require substantial data or complex computation
Example application efficiencies (%) – one field – average of four furrows
Application efficiencies (%) – single furrows * advance did not reach end of field
Summary • Three methods compared: • ‘Autofurrow’ • Set distance cut-off • Guidelines based on advance rate • Common features • Data collected during an irrigation is used to control that irrigation • Speed of advance is a function of flow rate, soil properties, moisture deficit • Hence adapt to changes in those variables
Summary • ‘Autofurrow’ is a reliable predictor of Tco but is data and computationally intensive. • The two simpler alternative methods give deliver performance generally equivalent to ‘Autofurrow’ and each other – but some variability • All methods deliver better performance than the ‘average’ grower • All three methods benefit from fine tuning, either manually or as self learning in automated systems