Irrigation Control Using Field-Based Soil and Crop Sensor Systems.

Recent technological advances in irrigation systems provide opportunities for in-field sensor monitoring equipment to communicate directly with the software control of these systems. Our research is developing digital mapping methods to use data acquired from proximal sensor surveys to delineate soil and crop spatial variability and statistically assign the positions for monitoring under any one irrigation system.  Wireless sensor networks monitor soil moisture status and inferred crop stress during the irrigation system. In addition, we are investigating the use of frequent canopy temperature measurements for direct spatial measurements of crop water use and water stress.  Infrared radiometer measurements are used to estimate water use; and this method will be tested against direct water use measurement for crops of different canopy structure, nitrogen nutrition and water stress to check its general applicability.  These monitoring methods, in conjunction with automation, aim to fine-tune irrigation scheduling to suit soil water supply and plant water demand as it varies across the field, aiming for productivity gains whilst minimising the environmental footprint of irrigated food production systems.