Precision Irrigation for Crop Water Management

The project develops precise irrigation control systems to address drought stress in crops caused by rising summer temperatures and increased evaporation. By integrating soil conditions, crop stage, plant physiological status, and weather forecasts, the system delivers weekly, crop-specific irrigation recommendations. It leverages center pivot systems for efficient water application and uses drone-mounted infrared cameras to monitor leaf temperature as a real-time indicator of plant water stress. Field trials with topinambur showed irrigated plots grew over three meters tall with full root development, while unirrigated plots remained short and unproductive, demonstrating the effectiveness of data-driven, targeted irrigation.