Gremon Systems Zrt.

Things you didn’t know about automatic watering systems

Irrigation system on a vegetable farm - water sprinklers spraying water on plants

Irrigation is an important process in any farming, and because of this reason, ‘computerization’ first came into the irrigation system before anything in agriculture. Plants need water, and there is no surprise about this fact. But what makes the difference was the understanding that there is a specific time when they need it. Irrigating plants during the peak requirement window ensured a high return in yield, and this knowledge was the basis of the automatic watering system.

There were lots of studies which had set a watering standard for each of the plants, but with automatic watering systems, the computer can analyze various plant vitals and optimize this schedule. In this article you will discover more about automatic irrigation and its types which might give you more idea on how the system works. This sensor-based irrigation is much more efficient than the one with human intervention, and that’s the reason why they are getting faster acceptance in agricultural community.  

What is an automatic watering system?

An ‘automatic watering system’ is a computer/timer-based water supply for crops which minimizes human intervention to just supervision. All water delivery systems like drip, surface, or sprinklers can be automated. There are various benefits for automation where the major one is reducing labor cost in exchange for an efficient water supply system. Usually the automation is installed by an engineer after assessing the field length, weather, micro-climate, humidity, soil properties and water requirement by the crops for efficient watering of plants.

The frequency of irrigation can be controlled with the help of a computer (in the modern system) or with a timer (in conventional automation). In automatic water system, fertigation can be easily done which further reduces the labor cost and ensures the safety of workers. Also, one profound benefit of the automatic watering system is the 24×7 irrigation irrespective of the labor availability, which will contribute towards the overall yield and profit. 

Comparison: ‘old’ vs ‘new’ automatic watering system.

 

Old watering system: water filling a clay tank

 ‘Automatic watering systems’ is not a modern-day invention but has been there for a long time and its need became more compelling when the global population started rising. An innovation in irrigation system can be dated back to 6000 B.C and ever since then humankind is pushing the boundaries to invent more.

The automatic watering system can be vaguely be divided into three classifications:

  1. Conventional automation of irrigation system in which low tech components like a clay pot, PVC pipes, porous capsules, etc. were used to automate the irrigation. In ‘clay pot and porous capsule irrigation’ water is stored in clay pots and distributed via PVC pipes which are then discharged through porous capsules. Another low-tech automatic watering system includes the Surge flow and gravitational tank irrigation system which uses siphon effect and gravitation for water supply to plants.
  2. Mechanical timer-based – They were popular in the mid-’90s until recently and were still used in some parts of the world due to low capital cost involved. In this automatic watering system, a mechanical timer is employed which can be coupled with valves that regulate the flow of water. However, this system can only be automated for the frequency of watering and doesn’t take any feedback to adjust the watering or ratio of fertigation.

  3. Computer-based watering- Capital cost might be high in this automatic watering system, but the value for money and delivery of results are good with computer-based watering system. Here the watering strategy is devised by the computer depending on timing, the climatic conditions like light, temperature etc.

  4. Companies like Gremon Systems have already developed ultra-modern decision support system which helps to adjust better the automatic watering systems. Their system takes to account also soil moisture, EC level and plant physiological aspects like biomass, transpiration, etc. that employ sensors and state-of-the-art software to automate the irrigation.

The computer-based automatic watering system might be useful in a large greenhouse that cultivates intensive crops like tomato, cucumber, pepper, eggplant, etc. but the mechanical timer-based one can be used in an open field growing crops that are not too much sensitive towards climatic conditions and watering schedule, like wheat, sorghum, corn, etc.

All you need to know about new automatic watering system.

There are various types of computer automatic watering systems, and the main ones are described below.

  1. Time-based system: – Here, the water discharge depends on an electronic timer which can be programmed by the operator to control the water flow rate. In a time-based watering of plants, the user can predetermine the water requirement of a crop using algorithms based on previous observations. Factors like time of operation, volume of water, and average flow rate can be adjusted here.
  2. Volume-based system: – The predetermined amount of water is dispensed using a set of automatic volume controller valve. Here also the calculation is based on an algorithm from previous trial.
  3. Open-loop system: – In this automatic watering system, the operator has control over the timing and amount of water to be dispensed which can be pre-set to the computer. The start of irrigation system is usually based on a timer or clock, whereas the cut off can either be based on volume of water or time.
  4. Closed-loop system: – A closed-loop system is a more sophisticated one in which the operator once defined a strategy the general working will be taken care by a system based on a set of feedback provided by the sensors installed on the field but at this moment most of such systems can take to account limited factors (mainly radiaton and soil moister).
  5. The biggest challenge in adjusting a Closed-loop systems better, is how to integrate rules, which is based on a more refined version of a computer-based closed-loop system will help to detect better what is the right time for the first and the last irrigation of a day.
  6. For example, the current version of ‘Trutina’ from Gremon Systems is a decision support system which can help to set better an automatic watering system that takes feedback from several sensors like pyranometer, E-box, GS3, weight cell, etc. which feeds the software front with necessary information to automate the irrigation system.
Trutina irrigation system implementation on a tomato farm

A semi-automatic watering system like the one from Gremon Systems which is an Android application is setting already a golden standard for computer-based farming and as first step irrigation has been automated which significantly reflects on the yield and profit generated.

Semi because it is able to take to account all the important parameter of the environment and plant as well for optimizing the irrigation strategy in order to maximize the yield and quality and which is the final step to manage the watering full automatically on the most professional way.

Why is the new automatic watering system more efficient?

The automatic watering systems undoubtedly is helping the farmers conserve water, thereby improving society. In any irrigation system, the prime motive will be to use the water most efficiently and that’s precisely what has been done here by automatic watering systems. For example, ‘Trutina’ discharges water based on the climatic and plant condition such that over-irrigation or under irrigation is eliminated, which means more yield with less water. Also, the latest iteration of this Trutina employs a real time-based analysis which can communicate with the operator through notifications and alerts on the mobile app. Based on the information received the operator can adjust the irrigation parameters either depending on the data analysis by the app or farmer’s previous experience.

Trutina APP system on mobile and smartwatch

 The best part about automatic watering system is that human intervention is significantly reduced that helps in reduction of labor cost and the same resource can be spent on other aspects of farming. Water conservation, elimination of improper irrigation, easy fertigation, reduction in labor cost, and efficient watering of plant are some of the benefits of automatic watering systems.

Conclusion

Automatic watering systems are setting a benchmark for farming around the world, which, in a sense, is becoming a mandatory norm for water conservation. Always the best systems are the one which automates a process based on multiple inputs like ‘Trutina’ which takes data from various aspects of farming to give the best possible irrigation system. Unarguably, automatic watering system is a smart investment because the benefit is reflected in profit, yield and resource management.

Leave a Comment:

19 comments
Taylor Wright says 2020.01.29.

It’s great that you elaborated on how a time-based system can use volume of water and the average flow rate. My uncle is thinking about replacing his watering system for his crops, however, he doesn’t know where to start. I’ll be sure to share this with him so he can decide on which system would be best for his property.

Reply
    Gremon Systems says 2020.01.30.

    Dear Taylor,

    Thank you for your interest! Please feel free to let us know if you or your uncle need any further assistance. We would be glad to help!

    Reply
Sehaj says 2021.05.11.

I need that system for my farm give me price I best phone number I can call

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Shammy Peterson says 2021.05.25.

It sure was helpful when you pointed out that delivery systems such as sprinklers and surface can be automated to reduce labor cost in exchange for an efficient water system. My mother purchased a new property that has a spacious lawn. She is looking to have a sprinkler system so she could make sure that all plants would be watered sufficiently. I will share this with her so she could get ideas about the type of system that she can have a professional installed for her.

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Diana Njeri says 2021.08.08.

I’m in Kenya and interested…

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Njijude says 2022.06.17.

It’s great you elaborated the various automatic watering systems. My friend and I where about doing a school project on that but didn’t really know that much on it. Thanks

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Taylor Abrams says 2022.11.19.

I found it interesting when you said that because this sensor-based irrigation is so much more effective than one that requires human intervention, the agricultural community is adopting it more quickly. I think your article will be helpful for my sister because she wants to install an irrigation system so that her lawn will stay green all year. I’ll make sure that she considers your irrigation equipment.

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Giri says 2022.12.22.

I just read this blog and I must say that it is incredibly informative and educational. Not only did I learn new things, but it also sparked my curiosity and encouraged me to do more research on the topic. The writing style is engaging and easy to understand, making it a pleasure to read. I would highly recommend this blog to anyone looking to gain more knowledge on a particular subject. Great job!

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Mukhtar Hussain Khan says 2022.12.29.

Need guidance to install solar base automatic water irrigation system on 12 Acar rain based land in pakistan

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Sam Andrews says 2023.03.08.

Yes! You have no idea how grateful I am when you said that an automatic watering system can be controlled on a periodic basis. My sister-in-law has a small veggie garden in her backyard and it’s getting harder for her to manage the area lately. I’m gonna ask her to consider this option and order a suitable installation afterward.

Reply
    Gremon Systems says 2023.03.10.

    Dear Sam,

    We are glad that we could provide useful information. If you need any further assistance please feel free to ask us at: info@gremonsystems.com

    Reply
lucy says 2023.05.03.

thx for helping me do this school exam!!!

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Elle Jones says 2023.05.09.

It’s fantastic that you went into further detail about how the average flow rate and water volume may be used by a time-based system. My uncle wants to replace the irrigation system he uses to irrigate his crops, but he doesn’t know where to begin. I’ll be sure to tell him about this so he may choose the solution that would work best for his property.

Reply
    Gremon Systems says 2023.05.10.

    Hello Elle!
    Thank you for your comment, I’m going to tell you our secret, high precision sensors that gets data each 5 seconds and our dedicated data analysis. For sure we are able to improve your uncle irrigation strategy with our technology, we will contact you soon to give you all the details, have a nice day!

    Reply
Lily Bridgers says 2023.06.08.

It’s fantastic that you went into further detail about how the average flow rate and water volume may be used by a time-based system. My uncle wants to replace the irrigation system he uses to irrigate his crops, but he doesn’t know where to begin. I’ll be sure to tell him about this so he may choose the best agricultural equipment that would work best for his property.

Reply
Lily Bridgers says 2023.06.08.

When you said that distribution systems like sprinklers and surfaces may be automated to cut labor costs in exchange for an effective water system, it was undoubtedly beneficial. My mother recently bought a new farm field with a huge space for crops to thrive. She wants a good irrigation system so she can make sure that every plant receives enough water. I’ll give her this information so she can get ideas for the kind of agricultural equipment she might have built by a pro.

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Raviraj Sharma says 2023.09.13.

Sprinkler irrigation system is great for farms, can I please know what factors should be considered when designing a sprinkler irrigation system?

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Mjivo says 2023.11.07.

I’d love to learn more about vegetation & use of larger scale lands like Hectors/acres of land still be able to maintain all

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Goliathtubs says 2023.11.24.

What an enlightening post on automatic watering systems! The insights into water conservation, plant health, and the customizable features of these systems are truly eye-opening. The emphasis on efficiency and sustainability aligns with the growing need for eco-friendly solutions in gardening. A well-written and informative piece that sheds light on the many benefits of embracing automation in watering. Kudos, Gremon Systems!

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