IRRIGATION SCHEDULING


integrate data and relevant background knowledge into timely recommendations to support “optimal” irrigation management decisions. There’s an app for that.


Actually, there are several apps for that. Irrigation scheduling software, or apps, can simplify integration of near real-time data (weather, soil water and crop status), research-based recommendations and crop water use models to inform irrigation management decisions.


irrigationtoday.org


Irrigation scheduling apps by public- sector and private-sector developers include a wide range of sophistication and ease of use. From basic “checkbook” soil water balance methods to complex tools integrating data from multiple sources with advanced mechanistic models, irrigation scheduling apps aim to inform and simplify irrigation management decisions.


While there are many advantages to these apps, there also are some common issues


and concerns. It is helpful to understand how the apps work, quality of data required and the background assumptions incorporated in the models.


Weather data sources and quality


Evapotranspiration-based irrigation scheduling tools require weather data to calculate reference evapotranspiration (ETref) and crop coefficients (Kc) to convert ETref to crop ET (ETc). Weather data can be


Summer 2022 | Irrigation TODAY 25


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