Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2006
Publication Date: March 28, 2006
Citation: Peters, R.T., Evett, S.R. 2006. Center-pivot automation using crop canopy temperature to eliminate irrigation guesswork. Resource Engineering and Technology for a Sustainable World. 13(2):9-10. Technical Abstract: Data-based irrigation scheduling techniques are not implemented by irrigators as often as they should because they require more training and time to implement than many irrigators feel inclined to invest. Automating irrigation systems such as center pivots holds the promise of simplifying the lives of busy irrigation managers while improving water use efficiency. This article describes the procedure used to completely automate a center pivot using the time-temperature-threshold (TTT) method of irrigation scheduling. The TTT method uses crop leaf temperature as a water stress indicator. Additional benefits include the ability to create crop leaf temperature maps of the field on a regular basis. These maps can be used to identify field problem areas.