Automation in irrigation systems

What is an irrigation system?

An irrigation system can be defined as a set of structures that allows water to be supplied to plants and crops, making it possible to cultivate in any area.

What is an automation of irrigation systems?

It consists of an automated way in the irrigation system to provide water to the crops, it can be used by sprinkling or dripping. There are also those that combine both dripping and sprinkling.

In other words, the automated irrigation system is in charge of controlling the water distribution. With this automated system you can choose the amount, schedule, location and frequency of irrigation. Thus becoming the most productive and comfortable option when watering, since it keeps lawns, plants and plantations healthy and green; allowing us to save time and effort.

Currently there are many techniques and it is that automated irrigation systems are setting the trend due to the large number of benefits they have.

In order to install an automated irrigation system, a study of the terrain and the types of crops must first be carried out, in order to find the best way to distribute the water and achieve the most optimal results. It is also necessary to analyze where it should be located, what will be the amount of water that is going to be used and the frequency with which the irrigation will be scheduled.

These systems currently represent a great ally for farmers, their crops and crops. This technology is evolving, incorporating increasingly efficient innovations in its innovations.

Advantages of automating irrigation systems

These systems are advancing very quickly, while offering us many advantages or benefits:

-It is easy to install: Installation can be carried out easily, regardless of the type of terrain. However, the assistance of a professional who is specialized and knows how to install it correctly for proper use may be required.

- The emitters are compatible with any type: Any automated irrigation system can be used, that is, it can be drip, sprinkler, micro-sprinkler, diffusers, among others; since due to the compatibility it can be suitable for anyone.

- You can save effort and time: This is one of the main advantages; that it is not necessary to personally take care of watering plants, crops and crops. Well, this is done automatically.

-They do better management regarding the use of water: They reveal that with this type of automated systems it is possible to reduce water consumption by 30% or 40%.

- How often the watering is done can be controlled: Which can avoid unnecessary losses or inappropriate times to perform.

- Ease: This automated system is so easy to handle that it can be configured without problems, also allowing to modify and make any changes that are considered, either due to the state of the crops or depending on different times.

- Irrigation can be programmed: Due to the integration of programmers that automatically activate and deactivate the irrigation system, thus taking advantage of the best moments of the day to carry out irrigation.

- It requires simple maintenance: Although the automated irrigation system is made up of various elements, it does not need too many financial resources or time for its maintenance.

1. Automation of drip irrigation systems 

It is also known as drip irrigation. This method is mainly used in arid areas as it can optimally use water and fertilizers.

In this irrigation method, the water infiltrates the roots of the plants, directly irrigating the area of ​​influence of the roots through a specific system of taverns and emitters or drippers, increasing the yield and productivity per unit on the surface.

For the agricultural sector this technique has marked the most important innovation since 1930 and the invention of sprinklers. This drip automation system is based on the fact that the plants are irrigated by means of drops of water. These drops can be filtered through hoses, tubes, among others.

Advantages of automation in drip irrigation systemo

The automation of the drip irrigation system is very pertinent and effective when it comes to providing the vital liquid to the plants; either in linear crops such as the vast majority of horticultural crops, vineyards, greenhouses or in isolated plants such as trees or orchards.
There are many advantages either from the technical, economic and agronomic point of view; from the point of view of the efficient use of water and also by labor:

• Small and low pressure flows can be used, which optimizes the use of water intended for irrigation.
• Avoid and reduce the proliferation of weeds in areas that are not irrigated.
• The performance of work and the resources used is increased, as well as productivity per hectare.
• With the irrigation water you can control the supply of nutrients without losses due to leaching and can also modify it when desired.
• Water can be located near plants through various emission points such as emitters or drippers.
• Wastewater can be used as this system prevents the dispersion of droplets with pathogens in the air.
• When the volume of moisture in the soil is reduced and also the storage capacity of it to be operated and applied more frequently at small flows and when there is higher water pressure it will be able to rise better to places of greater heights.
• It allows a simple adaptation on sloping or rocky terrain. Expanding areas that were already under irrigation, quickly and easily.
• Due to automation, the hotel pressure can be controlled with an electric pump arranged in each plot.
• As it gives the option to fully and completely automate this irrigation system, the application rate can be easily and completely controlled, saving on labor costs.
• It allows the use of more saline water than conventional irrigation, since it maintains a high humidity.
• Currently there are applications for mobile phones and the internet where by means of remote control the drip irrigation system can be put into operation individually for each plot, thus optimizing the use of this system according to its needs.

Duration and frequency irrigation

Some values ​​must be taken into account in order to estimate the duration and frequency of irrigation, such as:

• The flow of the emitters.
• The distance between the emitters.
• The distance between the emitting lines.
• La evapotranspiration Of crops.
• The types of texture of the soils, thus it is possible to avoid losses due to deep percolation and also to determine the limits of the humidity in the soil.

2. Automation of sprinkler irrigation system

It consists of automating the sprinkler irrigation it will reach the plants or crops in the form of rain. There are different equipment for this irrigation system, each with a different degree of automation, different investment, different characteristics to make them adapt to different situations. However, the most used are the central pivot and the lateral advance.

But, whatever equipment is used for this type of irrigation, pressure control must be maintained, in order to ensure that the water has a good dispersion.

It is advisable to water at night hours, or in hours when there is no wind, in case this is not possible, it is convenient then to reduce the distance that there must be between the sprinklers and increase the diameter of the mouths, taking into account the permeability capacity of the soil.

Advantages of automated sprinkler irrigation systemsn

• It requires less water consumption than flood or furrow irrigation.
• It can be used on hilly terrain. 
• Water can be dosed more precisely.
• It has high efficiency.
• It is easily operated.
• The plant material is not affected by irrigation since the pressure is eliminated, its distribution is homogeneous, the irrigation is distributed smoothly over a certain area.

3. Automation of sprinkler systems for specific purposes

There are some specific purposes that can be accomplished with the automated sprinkler irrigation system. For instance:

• "Color the fruit"
• Limit frost damage.
• Hydrate the fields.
• Achieve snow water in slightly icy bases.

Irrigation automation scheduling

Automation can be programmed as follows:

• By times.
• Volumes.
• Based on sensors of the hydric state of the soil and the plant.
• Based on meteorological data.

On our website you will find everything you need to automate your irrigation, in addition to the automation kits what we have. For any questions or doubts, please contact us here, and we are also specialists in clamp, garden sprinkler and in irrigation materials.