Abstract

LUGO ESPINOSA, Oziel et al. Prototype for automating a multicropping irrigation system. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2011, vol.2, n.5, pp.659-672. ISSN 2007-0934.

Irrigation provides to the plant the water essential to its growth and development; in order to ensure proper irrigation and maximizing the flow of available water, the irrigation systems with automatic programming can be used, for the purpose of ensuring supply when the plant needs it and in the proper amount, avoiding wasting water. This paper was carried out in 2008 and aims to show a working prototype, based on the integration of three technologies, computing, communications and electronics in order to automate the irrigation's control for closed or open systems. Soil information was provided (sand content percentage, clay, organic matter and bulk density) and crop's as well (type, duration, root growth functions and Kc). With this information a water balance is developed, which results in the decision to irrigate or not, any of the crops. When, as a result of the abatement of water in the soil function in conjunction with water balance, is determined to be watering, the software sends output digital signals by the RS232 serial port of a computer to an electronic device to operate the irrigation physical devices and supplementary (e. g. electrovalves, fans, lamps.) A bi-directional communication subsystem PC-GSM-cell Modem was integrated, which allows turning on/off a device, using remote commands from a cell phone, as well as sending alarms and warnings that indicate the system status through text messages and emails via mobile phone. The automation system was designed in modules, which allows it to adapt to various applications amenable to automation and control. Devices and programs that make up the system, inputs, outputs and processes that control automated irrigation are described.

Keywords : automation; irrigation; multicropping; water balance.

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