Author(s)

F. Touati, M. Al-Hitmi & K. Benhmed

Abstract

In arid and hyper arid regions like Qatar, the time and duration of irrigation is key to achieving sustainable irrigations. This paper proposes a practical solution based on artificial intelligence where all design and implementation phases are described. First, it describes a microcontroller-based system that collects soil moisture, ambient temperature, and solar radiation. Then the fuzzy logic controller takes these three inputs, and, based on the created rules table for a given crop, it produces the desired time and duration of irrigation. Also, ZigBeebased wireless monitoring is developed in-house in order to monitor the system operation and save sensor readings, irrigation time and during, and amount of water being dispensed. This constitutes the basis for future analysis and economic and environmental studies. Experimental results showed that the developed system rigorously compensates the amount of water that is lost through evapotranspiration as predicted by Penman–Monteith model, which is adapted by the FAO. The deployment of fuzzy control combined with wireless monitoring is found to have a great impact on irrigation management and planning in the near future. Keywords: fuzzy logic, wireless monitoring, arid region, intelligent drip irrigation system.

Keywords

fuzzy logic, wireless monitoring, arid region, intelligent drip irrigation system.