PRECIS

ION

IRRIG

ATIO

N

BY : C

HA

RL

ES

SL

OU

GH

SO

I L 4

21

3

OUTLINE• Methods of Irrigation• New Irrigation technologies• Soil Moisture Sensors• Application of precision tech

METHODS OF IRRIGATION• Flood • Furrow• Pivot and Linear sprinklers• Drip

http://www.wtamu.edu/~crobinson/Irrigation/pivot1b.jpg http://www.irrigationmuseum.org/photos/Furrow_Irrigation_1.jpg

VARIABLE RATE SPRINKLERS

• Valley VRI Center pivots• Enhanced soil moisture management• Precision variable rate application of water and nutrients• Higher yield potential and lower input costs• Ability to put water where you want it

http://www.valleyirrigation.com/userfiles/image/Water%20Application/Valley%20VRI/Valley_VRI.jpg

SOIL MOISTURE SENSORS

• Tensiometers

• Electronic moisture sensor

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvkIxMfD2tAJ9mv61l4wiCjwQdJRvYiqBhyC8N2GiMsJqMtvAGWg

http://www.envcoglobal.com/files/MO-SEC-2710.jpg

TENSIOMETERS

• Measures the soil water tension or how easily plants can take up water.

• Most accurate measuring device

• No calibration for soil type

• Can modified to remote sense

• Costs about $100 per tensiometer

• Low cost per acre

http://www.specmeters.com/Soil_Moisture/Irrometer_Tensiometers.html

ELECTRONIC SENSOR

• Fast convenient readings

• Must be calibrated for soil type depending on the sensor

• Can be a probe or Irrometer watermark sensor

• Watermark sensors claim to be more accurate than the probes

• Compare to tensiometers in accuracy except in coarse sandy soils

• More easily integrated into remote monitoring stations

• One station with sensors costs around $600

http://www.specmeters.com/Soil_Moisture/WatchDog_Watermark_Irrigation_Stations.html

http://www.specmeters.com/Soil_Moisture/Soil_Moisture_Tester.html

APPLICATION OF SENSORS

• Place throughout field

• In-row placement

• Place in different soil

• Place in shallow and deep root zones

APPLICATION OF SENSORS

• Link to base station

• Remotely monitor moisture levels

• Great for large scale farms

CONCLUSION

• Apply water where needed

• Monitor water levels

• Conserve water resources

QUESTIONS?