The Climate Smart Pilots project, led by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), conducted a research trial at Trangie Agricultural Research Centre (TARC) in NSW to improve water balance monitoring in irrigated cropping.
Sensors:
The study employed various sensors, including soil moisture sensors and water flow sensors. These devices collected real-time data on soil conditions and water movement within the irrigated fields.
Wireless Network:
Researchers set up a long-range wireless network (LoRaWAN) to transmit data from the sensors. This network facilitated communication between the sensors and the central monitoring system.
Data Collection:
The sensors continuously monitored soil moisture levels and water flow rates. The collected data allowed researchers to calculate water balance and assess irrigation efficiency.
Challenges:
Despite the promising results, the study highlighted challenges related to sensor interoperability and the lack of real-time data availability for decision-making.
In summary, the trial utilized sensors and wireless technology to improve water management in irrigated cropping, but further advancements are needed to address existing limitations.
For more information check out the full article here: Climate Smart Irrigated Cropping
Acknowledgements
- This work has been funded by the NSW Primary Industries Climate Change Research Strategy.
- This article was reviewed by Tom Flanagan and Darren Price.
- Main image – Cotton being irrigated by a lateral move system at TARC supplied by NSW DPIRD.
