Autonomous irrigation system for small crops based on temperature and soil humidity mesure

Abstract

The development of an autonomous irrigation system for a corn crop of 2400 m², located in the farm La Reforma, Colombia, is described. This system was developed to optimize the use of the water resource coming from a ravine near stream close to the crop, which is shared with other growers. The purpose is to eliminate damage by crushing and fracture of the plants, losses due to lack of irrigation, additional costs for labor and waste of water, because it is only used when it is necessary, which avoids erosion by over-irrigation and shortage of other crops. In addition, it was intended to implement a simple and economic system for small farmers, but at the same time, functional with technology available in the national market. The solution consists of a sprinkler system, with the least number of elements to cover the largest area, which is automatically activated from the measurement of ambient temperature and soil moisture. A modular basic system was implemented, which could be later added to other variables and validated in a corn crop for six months, from the equitable distribution of six soil moisture and temperature sensors, within the crops area; Which interact with six 70-10-30G sprinklers to cover 20 m in diameter at 72 psi each, powered by a microcontroller in a designed electronic circuit. Results are presented on the final harvest, improving the physical conditions of color, appearance and presentation more fresh and homogeneous; With lower water consumption compared to the usual use of permanent supply with hose and conditions of the greenest and most productive plants in general; A production equivalent to six times more corn was obtained, compared to normal production, for the same batch size; With better quality conditions, through a simple and low-cost system, whose recovery of investment is obtained in a time of two to three harvests.