Experimental smart system for irrigation - Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek - Tenja Experimental Site

On 05/10/2023, the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek signed an Agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia on the allocation of grants within the framework of the Co-financing Program for the establishment of experimental fields for irrigation of agricultural crops for the year 2023.

The project called "Experimental smart system for irrigation - The Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek - Tenja Experimental Site" will be implemented and built on the surface of the Tenja Experimental Site c.č. no. 1312/1 and on a total area of ​​1 ha starting from December 2023 until the end of October 2024.

The irrigation system itself will be divided into 10 plots of 1000 m2 for the purpose of conducting scientific research and later transfer of knowledge.

Design of an experimental smart irrigation system

1. Irrigation location - Google map: https://earth.google.com/web/@45.51462613,18.78654727,85.41816974a,904.08509523d,35y,0h,0t,0r (Slika 1)
2. The system will be designed in order to carry out scientific research in the following way:
   
   1. The size of the experimental field – a total of 1 ha
   2. Experimental field shape and dimensions (100 m x 100 m)
   3. The experimental field will have a total of 10 smaller experimental plots measuring 20 m x 50 m, i.e. an area of ​​1000 m2, where the system can work separately and independently, and considering the capacity of the pump - the direction of the plots along their length should be in the NE - SW direction, as well as the greenhouse, which is visible on the satellite image in Figure 1.
   4. All experimental fields will be supplied with a drip system and a spray system (drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation).
   5. The system will have a built-in dispenser and automation
3. The features of the sprayer to be installed will be as follows:
   
   1. Two equal jets of water ensure the sprayer a balanced operation without movement
   2. Closed compact structure, impossibility of penetration of impurities and insects into the mechanism when the sprayer is not working
   3. Spray uniformity at all flow rates
   4. Made of UV stable materials resistant to chemical substances
   5. "Pop up" non-rotating sprayer opening system
   6. Each sprayer should have an individual filter
4. Features of the drip system (drip system)
   
   1. Permanent hoses with integrated self-compensating droppers
   2. The flow of the droppers is a minimum of 1.0 l/h, and the distance between the droppers will be a maximum of 0.3 m
   3. In addition to the self-compensating effect, droppers should have built-in mechanisms such as a filtration surface, i.e. a filter, an anti-clogging mechanism and a mechanism that maximally accelerates the flow of water inside the dropper itself, which ensures maximum precision and resistance
5. System head - located at the beginning of the system and should ensure water purity (filtration), constant pressure with control and system protection.
6. Electromagnetic valves - pressure regulation in the system; suitable for all types of water; waterproof with pressure regulator; manual adjustment; resistant to chemicals
7. Dispenser - evenly injects liquid fertilizer into the irrigation system; self-sufficient (powered by the energy of the water flow); it has a regulator for the amount of fertilizer, resistant to chemicals; optimal mixing of water and fertilizer; resistant to UV radiation, i.e. UV stable
8. Automatic - adjustment of time and amount of irrigation; control of at least 6 fertilization pumps / dispensers; EC and pH control; warning system (alarm); connectable to PC; the option of supplying electricity in several ways; several digital and analog inputs and a minimum of 10 outputs; resistant and permanent design

Figure 1. Position of the irrigation system (yellow field – 100 x 100 m)

Objectives, outcome of the project and transfer of technology

The described irrigation system will ensure the implementation of micro and macro experiments with regard to the design of the system itself. Ten experimental plots will enable a sufficient number of variants in future scientific experiments and research. Also, in a single year it will be possible to conduct a larger number of experiments on several different plant species that prefer irrigation by dripping or watering (spraying), considering that it will be possible to apply both methods of irrigation on all experimental plots, which is very important for functionality system that serves scientific research purposes. Furthermore, the system will be equipped with automation and soil moisture sensors that will work in conjunction and thus enable precise dosing and control of water consumption and monitoring of soil moisture content. The described necessary equipment for a smart irrigation system will have the possibility of remote monitoring and download of the necessary data, which is crucial for later data processing and drawing conclusions and publication of results. Finally, the results obtained from such research will be transferred to the general public (producers, students, experts, scientists) through workshops, publications and demonstration activities.

Project implementation and dissemination of results

The project will be implemented in the period from 12/20/2023. until 31.10.2024.

The first results of the implementation of this project are expected during October 2024, which will be published here, i.e. on the website of the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek.

All the results of the implementation of the project will be publicly and freely available to all entrepreneurs operating in the relevant sector or sub-sector of agriculture as and the general public through a publication on the Faculty's website, but also through various workshops, lectures and similar activities.