This document discusses automation in micro irrigation systems. It describes the key components of an automated system including sensors, controllers, and monitoring software. Sensors measure parameters like soil moisture and pressure. Controllers coordinate operation and allow for programmed irrigation schedules. Automation allows for more precise watering and greater efficiency compared to manual systems. While automated systems are more expensive, they save on labor and inputs.

2. AUTOMATION IN MICRO IRRIGATION Presented by : MANJUNATH, K I.D. NO. AEK 715

3. Contents Introduction System components of automated irrigation system Preparation of programming schedule Various types of automation system Important points for automated drip system Benefits of automized irrigation Limitations of automized irrigation system

4. INTRODUCTION Automation is the boon of farming. In developed countries a large area has been covered under automated micro irrigation system. It is relatively new; but getting popularity day-by-day. 08/26/10

5. What is automation? Automation is a kind of innovation , in which the manual interventions are replaced by an automated system to perform all the operations. 08/26/10

6. What is micro irrigation? It refers to low-pressure irrigation systems that sprays, mist, sprinkle, or drip.( The water discharge patterns differ because emission devices are designed for specific applications due to agronomic or horticultural requirements) 08/26/10

7. What is automation in micro irrigation? It is a system by which all the operations related to the supply of irrigation water or fertilizer to the crop are carried out, automatically with no or minimum manual interventions. 08/26/10

8. The scope of automation has become a new development in micro irrigation sector. In India, the pressurized irrigation has created a great awareness among the farmers. From government side several initiatives have been taken for popularization. 08/26/10

9. Layout of Aumation in micro irrigation

10. System components of automated irrigation system 08/26/10

11. An automized micro-irrigation consists of following three components 1.Sensors 2.Controllers and 3.Monitoring software / decision support system 08/26/10

12. Sensors These are the device used in the system for producing electrical signals related to the parameter to be measured. Provide the basic data to drive the automatic control system 08/26/10 Installation of sensor

13. Types of sensors 1. Continuous sensors Produce the electrical signals in continuous form such as voltage, current, conductivity, capacitance etc Used for measuring the pressure drop across the filter or for determining the soil moisture tension. 08/26/10

14. 2.Discrete sensors These are the mechanical or electronic switches They indicate on/off condition and also to indicate the opening/closing state of valves, alarms, etc 08/26/10

15. Different sensors used Analog tensiometer. Contact tensiometer. Electrical resistance sensors. Dielectric sensors. Thermal soil matric potential sensor. Gypsum block soil moisture sensor. 08/26/10

16. Controllers It is considered as the heart of automation system. Its function is to coordinate the operation of entire system. They consists of an electronic calendar and the clock . There is option for irrigation schedule of weekdays. 08/26/10

17. Types of controllers 1.Electromechanical controllers. They are mechanically based and not very sensitive to the quality of available power. They have very limited features regarding their use. 08/26/10

18. 2. Electronic controller They are very sensitive to the power-line quality. They provide a large number of favorable features at low cost. 08/26/10

19. Control valves 1. Hydraulic valves. These control valves are operated by hydraulic pressure . Control tubes and solenoid coils are used to transmit the commands to valves. Two types of configuration normally closed (NC) and normally open (NO). 08/26/10

20. 2.Automatic metering valves Used in volume based automated irrigation system. 08/26/10

21. Master relay Its function is to control the pump operation. Metering pump They are suitable to feed a known quantity of fertilizers / chemicals Generally pumps of 1.5 to 3.5 lph are generally found suitable 08/26/10 Metering pump Master relay

22. Flow transducers Used to measure the flow and totaling the flow. The flow rate is measured based on the pulse output indicated at the counter. 08/26/10

23. Sequencer system The electro-mechanical and electronic driven sequencers are commonly used in automated system. 08/26/10

24. Preparation of programming schedule Programmed the irrigation system to determine the duration of irrigation for the given crop, and for each section. 08/26/10

25. Feed the duration of individual valves in the controller along with system start time . Set the controller clock in respect of current day and time. 08/26/10

26. Working procedure As the clock of controller gets synchronized with the start time of programme. The controller starts sending 24V AC current to the first solenoid valve in the programme sequencer. At the same time the current reaches the master relay to start the pump. 08/26/10

27. Various types of automation system 08/26/10

28. 1. Time based system Operation time is considered as the basis of irrigation. Operation time is computed on the basis of required volume of water and the average rate of water flow. 08/26/10

29. Feed the time in the controller clock Controller Valve 1 open Valve 1 close valve 2 open signals 08/26/10

30. 2) Volume based system Provided with volume controlled metering valve by which a preset amount of water is applied to the field. It consists of 2 systems 08/26/10

31. System 1. 08/26/10

32. System 2 Interconnected automatic metering valves at each field segment . For closing and opening of metering valves. 08/26/10

33. 3.Open loop system In this system information about irrigation duration or required volume of water is feed to the control unit. These information were programmed in he system controller. 08/26/10

34. Cont… Advantage - low cost . Disadvantage – system does not respond to the environmental conditions. 08/26/10

35. 4.Closed loop system In this system one or more sensors are equipped Operator based on operator’s control strategy System takes the decision on he basis of sensors data. 08/26/10

36. 5. Real time feed back system The system works on the basis of real feed back data regarding demand of the crop at a given time 08/26/10

37. Cont.. Various sensors like tensiometers, relative humidity sensors, rain sensors, temperature sensors etc, used to feed the crop data to control unit. 08/26/10

38. 6. Computer based irrigation control system In this system, a hardware and software is equipped to supervise the irrigation and other associated works like fertigation, maintenance . 08/26/10

39. Contd.. This control system used in MIS is divided into following two categories: 1)Interactive system and 2)Fully automatic system 08/26/10

40. 1. Interactive system This system use a micro computer . The data is transmitted to control unit from sensors and then to central computer . 08/26/10

41. Cont… In system, the field devices like valves, regulators, pumps etc., are fitted with electrically operated servo-device , which operates them 08/26/10

42. Cont… Operator has provision to control the flow from the central computer by changing the parameters like pressure etc. 08/26/10

43. 2) Automatic system In this system person is completely avoided. Computer is programmed to perform automatic functions With the help of control devices corrections can be done In this system there is a facility to stop the function when there is a rainfall etc, 08/26/10

44. Important points for automated drip system 08/26/10

45. The controller should be installed at the eye level for easy programming and screen reading Voltage stabilizer should be used for proper supply of power in the system The field wiring should be done through conduit for safety point of view Controller should not be installed in the moistened or warm room 08/26/10

46. Controller should be protected from the water, insects, lizard and other reptiles. The flow control system is for fine-tuning ; it should be used only for this purpose. If possible, the controller should be installed either near to the pumping unit or water source. 08/26/10

47. Benefits of automized irrigation Conservation of water, labour and energy Flexibility in operation Precision and ease in operation Adoption possibilities of advanced cropping and new technologies 08/26/10

48. Feasibility of water use from different sources Control on entire irrigation system Enhancement in crop yield with better quality Better w ater and nutrient use efficiency 08/26/10

49. Limitations of automized irrigation system High system cost. Sensor sensitivity. Improper functioning of control valves. Frequent maintenance. 08/26/10

50. Conclusion In this era of mechanization due to the popularization of micro irrigation the automation as become a new development in micro irrigation sectors. This technology mainly focuses on smooth operation, energy saving and less labour dependency. Hence the automation is the bone of farming with increase the water use efficiency.

51. Reference Abraham, N.,Hema, P.S.,Saritha, E.K. & Subramannaiah, S. (2000). Irrigation automation based on soil electrical conductivity & leaf temperature. Agricultural water management 45:145-157 R.Suresh, “ Micro irrigation theory and practice “ Dhingra, D and Kumar, A. (2000). Automation of micro irrigation system. In micro irrigation(Sing et al, eds). Proc. Int. Conf. on micro and sprinkler irrigation systems, jalgaon, 8-10 Feb.. 2000. p. 229-235.