Modern precision irrigation management tools based on electronic devices, computer programs and automatic control techniques

Abstract

Recent advances and developments in electronic devices, communication systems, computer programs and applications, automatic control techniques, image processing, unmanned vehicles, among others; they play an important role in the modernization and technification of regional agriculture. In opposition to the traditional management of agricultural fields or farms, nowadays precision agriculture requires data collection and information processing in real time in order to quickly identify the events that have occurred and to know in detail the variability of the cultivated areas, all with the aim of achieving the highest possible productivity; accompanied by the responsible management and use of available resources, especially water. In the work, a description of the new technologies available for the management of precision agriculture is made, in particular focused on "Precision Irrigation". A set of developments and experiences carried out at the Institute of Automation in recent years is presented, such as the implementation of soil moisture sensors, field measurement stations, robotic quadricycles, intelligent irrigation controllers, and the web system "Agricultural Telemetry ”. Finally, two use cases are presented in the management of pressurized irrigation systems for the implementation of Controlled Deficit Irrigation (RDC) strategies in olive trees and in tomatoes destined for industry, both cases in the province of San Juan.