As at 2019 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations approximated the total land area used for agriculture as 4.8 billion hectares. Out of this expanse of land, twenty-two percent of the total agricultural land area is equipped with irrigation systems to improve crop yield.
With the unstable climate, and global concern for climate change, and reduction in food production, more sustainable and innovative practices are required in the agricultural sector. One of the leading innovative practices in agriculture is smart irrigation. Smart irrigation systems can help improve crop security and help farmers adapt to climate change challenges.
Challenges of Irrigation in Tropical Climates
Researchers have highlighted the significance of irrigation systems in tackling unpredictable climate patterns. However, the response and willingness to adapt to tropical climate irrigation remains baffling, contributing to the multifaceted challenges affecting the success of smart irrigation systems in tropical climates.
Unpredictable Rainfall Pattern
One of the many drawbacks that stood out is the unpredictable rainfall pattern that defies climatologists’ reports. For instance, rainfall is essential for plant growth, but excessive heavy rain can cause waterlogged soils that can affect normal nutrient intake and impact root stability. Similarly, long dry periods can cause fluctuations in the water levels, affecting crop productivity. Efficient irrigation water management is essential to balance the impact of climate change and also ensure adequate water supply during drought.
High Temperature and Increased Evaporation Rate
Tropical climates experience fiery sunlight and high temperatures that pose a threat to water irrigation systems supplying water to the root. In situations like this, it’s essential to combine farming techniques (such as mulching) that sustain soil moisture to overcome this climatic challenge.
Poor Water Management Systems
Many landscaping in tropical regions lack good water management systems that can help counterbalance the effect of climate change. The unavailability of these water management systems contributes to issues like drought, water wastage, and low crop yield.
Action of Erosion
Tropical climates often experience long periods of intense rainfall, leading to soil erosion and leaching, whereby the topsoil necessary for plant nutrition is washed off. Combining efficient water management and effective irrigation methods like drip irrigation can preserve fertile soil from being washed off during heavy rainfall.
Poor Sustainable Practices
For cultivated lands in tropical climates, sustainable farming, and climate irrigation methods are essential during the long dry season. These can include one or a wide range of methods aimed at improving water efficiency and these irrigation practices can include adopting smart irrigation systems.
How Toro Smart Irrigation Solutions Addresses Irrigation Challenges in Tropical Climates
Toro’s smart irrigation solution is an ultra-modern irrigation system powered by smart, high-tech irrigation controllers. These controllers can respond and adapt to real-time information about the weather, soil properties, and the needs of your plants to provide the right amount of water that sustains their growth.
Toro’s smart irrigation systems are WIFI-controlled and help reduce overwatering, conserving water usage by up to 35%. Among the many Smart irrigation solutions offered by Jebsen & Jessen, the Wifi Enabled Irrigation Controller and the Toro Smart Hub Controller claim the spotlight for their efficiency.
The Wifi Enabled Irrigation Controller
It is a smart irrigation controller that can help solve challenges in tropical climates through its many embedded features that allows for stress-free irrigation. Here’s a detailed exploration of how each features contribute to effective irrigation in tropical climates:
Courtesy: K-Rain Pro Ex 2.0: Advanced Control for Irrigation Systems
- WIFI-enabled controller: The irrigation controller is WIFI-enabled and allows for remote navigation and alerts and thus, a game-leveler for cultivated areas in tropical climates. Its WIFI-enabled remote access allows users to operate and monitor their irrigation system from anywhere they are. This feature is particularly effective in areas with unpredictable weather patterns.
- Numerous Operational Modes: The Wifi Enabled Irrigation Controller offers 3 flexible operational controls and they include a strictly conventional controller or a remote-controlled controller. This versatility allows for quick adjustment in tropical areas as they can easily switch to a mode that suits the weather and plant needs.
- Patented Full Program Display: This feature enhances visibility during operation as it provides an extensive overview of the controller’s features. Users get to see options like water days, station numbers, and other special configurations. The full display feature allows for precise tropical climate irrigation planning on cultivated areas with special crop types.
- Flow Sensor Readiness: The flow sensor compatibility allows operators to match real-time data for effective water control. This feature is useful in tropical areas where water conservation is essential as it prevents wastage by monitoring and adjusting poor flow patterns.
- Rain and Freeze Sensor Integration: For landscaping with existing rain sensors, the Wifi Enabled Irrigation Controller can seamlessly integrate and receive automated and real-time environmental condition responses from them. This feature keeps users two steps ahead, especially in unpredictable climates or in the event of unforeseen rainfall.
- Wireless Module Connector: When it comes to tech devices, users are often worried about wiring and setups, however, the wireless module connector allows for easy communication with other devices without bothering about wiring setups. The ease of installation solves infrastructure challenges the user may face.
Other notable features include its Diagnostic Circuit Breaker which identifies irrigation stations with problems and allows for immediate location and repairs and its Advanced Diagnostic Alerts that provide audible and visual notifications on installation or programming errors.
The Toro Smart Hub Controller
The Toro Smart Hub Controller is another irrigation solution by Jebsen & Jessen that offers solutions to tackle irrigation challenges in tropical climates.
Courtesy: Toro Lynx® Smart Hub Controller for Golf Irrigation
- Area Segmentation for Stress-Free Irrigation: The Toro Smart Hub Controller simplifies irrigation schedules by separating/marking out areas for proper maintenance. In tropical cultivated lands filled with diverse crop plants, this segmentation feature allows for joint irrigation of various plants at different intensities.
- LYNX Smart Hub for Offline Operation: The unique LYNX Smart Hub is another unique feature that tackles offline reception in tropical areas with low technological advancement. This simple, yet effective technology ensures the proper execution of an irrigation schedule when the central control point is offline, ensuring uninterrupted irrigation, especially in areas with poor connectivity issues.
- Two-Way Communication for SMART Features: For users, there is an embedded two-way communication capability between the central operator and each sprinkler on the field. The compatibility allows for the inclusion of extra SMART features that provide comprehensive real-time data.
The Toro Smart Hub Controller possesses other features like a convenient manual operation that eliminates the need for reporting to the head office in case of installation or programming errors and a controller point for all forms of sensors which includes soil and flow sensors.
Learn More About TurfTech’s Smart Irrigation Solutions
Learn more about the cutting-edge irrigation solutions Jebsen & Jessen offers to help revolutionize irrigation in tropical climates. The Toro Smart Hub Controller and The Wifi Enabled Irrigation Controller can also help in elevating not only cultivated areas in tropical climates but also your turfs and landscaping in your homes. Visit turftech.jjsea.com to learn more about the future of smart irrigation systems and how they can help transform vegetation and tropical climate irrigation.
