Irrigation management model based on soil moisture distribution profile

Abstract The article is devoted to the actual problem solving of precision irrigation in terms of an irrigation management model creating based on the soil moisture spatial variation. The research key element is that the model being created takes into account the soil moisture content variability not according the area of the irrigated plot, but in the vertical profile of the agricultural crops active root water consumption zone. This approach avoids the necessity for the irrigation equipment design complication for irrigation moisture differentiated distribution and therefore the technology application allows us to avoid unnecessary costs. The irrigation requirement assessing block according to the moisture content differentiating in the active soil layer profile is new in the proposed model architecture. The block algorithm assumes the two-stage irrigation requirement assessment, first, based on the total level of soil moisture variation in the active layer profile and second, on the layers sum of the active soil horizon with a moisture content below the threshold level. Together, these estimates allow us to make a decision about the irrigation necessity if soil moisture excessive variation in the profile layers and the moisture distribution nature in the soil profile have a significant impact on the irrigated crop productivity.