Laboratory of Precision Irrigation
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
Understand the application of field sensors and techniques for analyzing soil-crop system variability for precision irrigation management in agricultural operations.
Be familiar with methods for generating irrigation prescription maps.
Understand the design and management criteria for pressurized irrigation systems in order to increase water use efficiency while simultaneously improving yields and quality of agricultural products.
Be familiar with methods for generating irrigation prescription maps.
Understand the design and management criteria for pressurized irrigation systems in order to increase water use efficiency while simultaneously improving yields and quality of agricultural products.
Expected learning outcomes
Apply spreadsheet tools, computer models, GIS, and field sensors for monitoring soil water status.
Develop the ability to process site-specific data on the soil-crop system in order to obtain irrigation prescription maps.
Identify and manage precision irrigation solutions that align with the prescription maps.
Develop the ability to process site-specific data on the soil-crop system in order to obtain irrigation prescription maps.
Identify and manage precision irrigation solutions that align with the prescription maps.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
3.0 CFU - Frontal lectures [24 hours]
Introduction to the course: educational objectives, contents, examination methods, available material. The key steps of a precision irrigation approach: acquisition of georeferenced data of the soil-crop-atmosphere system; zonation in homogeneous areas and creation of irrigation prescription maps, use of sensors and agro-hydrological models to support irrigation management; implementation of irrigation trough variable rate (VR) irrigation systems.
The following topics will be covered in detail in subsequent lectures:
Georeferenced soil and vegetation data acquisition: geophysical sensors and drones.
Creation of irrigation prescription maps using multivariate analysis and data-fusion techniques.
Sensors and agro-hydrological models for irrigation management scheduling in homogeneous zones (DSS).
VR irrigation implementation: microirrigation systems with different sectors and VR sprinkler irrigation machines.
1.0 CFU - Field activities [16 hours].
Topographic survey of the field under study with a differential GPS. Data acquisition in the field on bare soil with an EMI sensor. Designing the soil sampling campaign after obtaining the homogeneous zone map based on the EMI data. Field measurement of hydraulic conductivity of soils. Collection of disturbed and undisturbed soil samples at multiple depths, which will then be analyzed in soil physics and hydrology laboratories.
0.5 CFU - Soil physics/hydrology laboratory [8 hours].
Analysis, in the soils physics and hydrology labs, of soils sampled in the field under study.
1.5 CFU - Computer Lab [24 hours]
Creation of a homogeneous zone map of the study field based on EMI sensor acquisition to drive the traditional soil sampling. Processing of VIS-NIR and TIR data acquired by drone to obtain maps of vegetation and crop water status indices. Application of data-fusion techniques to obtain a final homogeneous zone map from EMI and drone data, from which to derive the irrigation prescription map. Application of an agro-hydrological model to verify the irrigation efficiency relative to the standard farm irrigation management and to plan a time-varying irrigation management in the different homogeneous zones, evaluating the increase in irrigation efficiency.
Introduction to the course: educational objectives, contents, examination methods, available material. The key steps of a precision irrigation approach: acquisition of georeferenced data of the soil-crop-atmosphere system; zonation in homogeneous areas and creation of irrigation prescription maps, use of sensors and agro-hydrological models to support irrigation management; implementation of irrigation trough variable rate (VR) irrigation systems.
The following topics will be covered in detail in subsequent lectures:
Georeferenced soil and vegetation data acquisition: geophysical sensors and drones.
Creation of irrigation prescription maps using multivariate analysis and data-fusion techniques.
Sensors and agro-hydrological models for irrigation management scheduling in homogeneous zones (DSS).
VR irrigation implementation: microirrigation systems with different sectors and VR sprinkler irrigation machines.
1.0 CFU - Field activities [16 hours].
Topographic survey of the field under study with a differential GPS. Data acquisition in the field on bare soil with an EMI sensor. Designing the soil sampling campaign after obtaining the homogeneous zone map based on the EMI data. Field measurement of hydraulic conductivity of soils. Collection of disturbed and undisturbed soil samples at multiple depths, which will then be analyzed in soil physics and hydrology laboratories.
0.5 CFU - Soil physics/hydrology laboratory [8 hours].
Analysis, in the soils physics and hydrology labs, of soils sampled in the field under study.
1.5 CFU - Computer Lab [24 hours]
Creation of a homogeneous zone map of the study field based on EMI sensor acquisition to drive the traditional soil sampling. Processing of VIS-NIR and TIR data acquired by drone to obtain maps of vegetation and crop water status indices. Application of data-fusion techniques to obtain a final homogeneous zone map from EMI and drone data, from which to derive the irrigation prescription map. Application of an agro-hydrological model to verify the irrigation efficiency relative to the standard farm irrigation management and to plan a time-varying irrigation management in the different homogeneous zones, evaluating the increase in irrigation efficiency.
Prerequisites for admission
In order to successfully follow the course, students should meet the following requirements:
- good theoretical basis of hydrology, hydraulics and irrigation;
- good familiarity with personal computers (Windows environment, word processing and calculation programs) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
- good theoretical basis of hydrology, hydraulics and irrigation;
- good familiarity with personal computers (Windows environment, word processing and calculation programs) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
Teaching methods
The course is divided into 3.0 CFU of frontal lectures (24 hours), 1.5 CFU of activities in the field and in the soil physics-hydrology lab (24 hours), and 1.5 CFU of practicals in a computer lab (24 hours). The CFU in the field is aimed at the direct acquisition of georeferenced data of the soil-crop-atmosphere system investigated in the case study (including soil samples to be analyzed in the soil physics-hydrology laboratory). The main calculation software used during the practicals in the computer lab are the following: Excel (spreadsheets with calculation procedures implemented), QGIS, statistical and geostatistical processing software, drone image processing software, hydrological balance models for the soil-crop-atmosphere system.
The attendance at lectures and practicals is strongly recommended. Missed lessons can be substituted by self-study using the reference material indicated by the course lecturer.
The attendance at lectures and practicals is strongly recommended. Missed lessons can be substituted by self-study using the reference material indicated by the course lecturer.
Teaching Resources
The material for the course is available on the ARIEL site, and consists of the slides shown during the lectures and of supplementary material, such as reference to book chapters, text of laws, scientific and technical papers, websites. The course lecturer will provide indications to students on how to use the different supporting materials.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Course is concluded by an exam. The exam consists of an oral test, focusing on the following aspects: (a) discussion of a written report describing the technical and experimental activities carried out for a pilot field during the course (the report must be delivered to the course lecturer by the exam registration date, and can be carried out by a single student or in groups of 2-3 students); (b) discussion of a scientific article provided by the course lecturer during the course or chosen by the student because of his/her interest and subsequently approved by the course lecturer, which illustrates precision irrigation techniques and methods; (c) questions on theoretical parts of the course not covered by the written report. The three issues will constitute respectively the 40%, 30% and 30% of the final grade. During the oral exam the student will be allowed to consult both the written report and the selected scientific article.
The following aspects will be assessed during the oral exam: acquired knowledge, level of understanding, reasoning and connection skills, communication skills using appropriate sector terminology, ability to organize a detailed and effective technical document.
The following aspects will be assessed during the oral exam: acquired knowledge, level of understanding, reasoning and connection skills, communication skills using appropriate sector terminology, ability to organize a detailed and effective technical document.
AGR/08 - AGRICULTURAL HYDRAULICS AND WATERSHED PROTECTION - University credits: 6
Field activity: 16 hours
Computer room practicals: 24 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Computer room practicals: 24 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Facchi Arianna
Professor(s)