Demonstration of Intelligent Center Pivot Irrigation Technology

Abstract. Center pivot irrigation systems are predominantly designed to apply a relatively uniform amount of water to fields that are often inherently variable due to factors such as different soil types, topography, or multiple crops. This field variability can result in significantly waste of water and energy, runoff, chemical leaching, and reductions in yields and farm profits. To address this issue, our team is now developing an intelligent Center Pivot (ICP), which is a sensor-based variable rate pivot that automatically adjusts water application rates to match the needs of individual management zones within a field. Here we describe a tabletop center pivot demonstration model (ICPdemo) constructed to demonstrate and promote adoption of this innovative ICP technology. A working model of an intelligent center pivot has been constructed as a small two-section center pivot covering a semi-circular field. The ICPdemo has four management zones plus an end gun whose application rates can be individually controlled over a number of control sections in the field. The rotation speed of the pivot can also be controlled according to the irrigation rate map. To demonstrate the variable nature of the ICP irrigation system, various soil types and field features are incorporated in the management zones, and the irrigation control strategy is programmed on a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The ICPdemo will be used to showcase the ICP technology during field days, Trade Shows, and meetings with growers to demonstrate the use, benefits, and effectiveness of ICP technology for irrigation scheduling.