TECHNOLOGY
Figure 2
Irrigation design validation using an RGB sensor showed uniformity problems (left). Distribution showed improvement
after adjustments were made (right). Source: Matthew Morris
Ahmed Hashem, PhD, has conducted research to evaluate several applications for drone use in agriculture.
Topographical mapping Irrigation educators and consultants are playing a significant role in topographical mapping for irrigation design purposes. Many growers are concerned about the handling and processing of these technologies, especially during the busy growing season. Surveying drones show great potential benefits for growers, especially for irrigation purposes. High accuracy elevation data can be obtained using a real-time kinematic drone flown on the head of the field to assess the elevation change across the top of the field where the irrigation tubing is laying. The elevation data obtained from drones is fed to the irrigation design application for accurate irrigation design calculations. This method is extremely important to get accurate elevation data for irrigation designs (see fig. 4).
Drones have shown various solutions for many daily farming operations. With the continuous advance of technologies, more applications would benefit irrigators and the agriculture sector overall. None of these applications were available five years ago. Today we are using drones for irrigation designs, elevation surveys and identifying problem areas, among many others. If you think those applications are beneficial, just wait and see what the next five years bring. Academic institutions will continue to play a significant role in evaluating the accuracy of such technologies and training young generations to utilize them.
Ahmed Hashem, PhD, is an assistant professor of agricultural systems technology at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. He
Mike Hamilton, MSc, is an irrigation instructor with the University and an irrigation specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture- UAS pilot.
14 Irrigation TODAY | Summer 2020
irrigationtoday.org Figure 3
Debris locations along the drainage ditch
Source: Richard Pickett, P&P Consulting
Specific debris location
Figure 4 Drainage canal and ditch inspection using an RGB sensor.
Field-scale elevation map using an RGB sensor with a real-time kinematic base
station. Source: Mike Hamilton
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