Microprocessor and Automation Techniques for Registration of Water Requirements, Stress Indexes, and Irrigation Timing Criteria of Corn and Beans Crops in the Brazilian South-East Irrigated Fields

Instruments and automation techniques were used for registration of water requirements and water stress indexes of corn and beans crops in the Brazil South-East irrigated fields, by means of the energy balance/Bowen ratio and infrared thermometer methods, seeking a rational irrigation management, a better water use efficiency and a reduction in the energy consumption. Microelectronic devices, sensors and microprocessor technique were used in the control, acquisition, transfer and storage of data and information, facilitating the precise and fast registration, in real time, of the parameters involved in the process. Results are helping to establish and define the decision moment of irrigation water application and water stress levels control.