Precision farming on the basis of GPS – technology, which was originally perceived as a miracle, is now becoming the norm because of its economic feasibility. Making fertilizers where they are most needed, in exact quantities, in which they are needed, improves both the use of inputs and the final harvest.

Differentiated introduction technology, which was originally used for dry fertilizer, is now beginning to revolutionize irrigation systems. A new world, where the sensor network constantly monitors soil moisture conditions and directs irregular systems with a variable rate, is quickly becoming a reality.

This is a new generation approach to irrigation, which also creates opportunities for more accurate and efficient use of liquid fertilizers and plant protection products. At Agri-Inject, a company specializing in fluid injection technologies, it is believed that the best time has come for this “exact revolution”.

“Water is becoming an increasingly valuable resource,” said Agri-Inject CEO Eric Trailborn. “Par can minimize costs and nutrients, and also provide the basis for the establishment of systems that control the introduction of both water and nutrients with greater accuracy.”

RESEARCH

Agri-Inject engineers do not need to go far to find a realistic scenario for developing their systems of variable fluid injection rates. Agrarians in the western part of the United States are increasingly faced with pump constraints and limited quantities of water that can be obtained annually from large wells. So, farmers are very interested in finding ways to improve water use efficiency.

One possible option is an irrigation rate variable system that uses sprayers that can be turned on and off according to the needs of the plants in the water. This system is also perfectly suited for the variable rate of introducing pesticides. Today’s task is to develop a technology that can control the flow of water in the irrigation system and “on the fly” to adjust the rules of fertilizers or chemicals.

“This is exactly what our system of proportional injection was designed for,” says Trybellhorn. “Irrigation now depends on the culture, soil type, moisture probe, spray velocity, and other variables. Through the sensors, the system changes the flow of water and operates the regulation of the spraying rate to ensure the appropriate zone of action. “

SINGLE MEMBERSHIP

All elements – a variable rate irrigation system, fluid injection controllers and soil moisture sensors – are newly used in irrigation, fertigation, and the introduction of chemicals with water. What will happen if you use all of these tools together? This can be understood on the example of a research farm north of Humea.

There researchers integrated all these components and test field systems to collect real data. The circular irrigation system that uses sprinkler heads, the built-in humidity sensor and the Agri-Inject fluid injection system with reflex control panel allows users to get real-time and on-the-fly data to make adjustments. In fact, if necessary, the requirements for work in a certain field can be changed every 15 minutes.

“Thanks to advances in the progress of equipment and technology, irrigation and fertigation have achieved new levels of efficiency and accuracy,” says Trybellhorn. “The more accurate the irrigation will become, the more valuable the tool will be the irrigation system – especially when the profit from production gets as hard as today.”

Source: www.precisionag.com