Development and testing of an automated sprinkler irrigation system for vegetable farming

Abstract

Automated sprinkler irrigation was designed to enhance optimal performance of an irrigation system. It was designed in a plot of 0.225ha from a reservoir to field or crops in Imo state polytechnic Umuagwo, Nigeria during the dry seasons. A pumping mechanism was used to deliver the needed amount of water to the soil. The system was developed to reduce the usage level of water and irrigate with the actual water requirement on crops with soil-moisture sensor, temperature sensor and water availability sensor. In addition, this automated system gives the sensor information. The results obtained showed that the soil in the study area was sandy loam, moisture content of 10.5%, bulk density of 1.53g/cm³, particle density of 2.62g/cm³, porosity of 41.05%.The result of particle size distribution reveals that Uniformity coefficient (CU) = 1.92, Coefficient of gradation (CC) =0.81, 16% clay, 22% silt and 62% sand. Results from the design showed that irrigation frequency of 6 days, net depth of 4.69cm, gross depth of 6.7cm, irrigation interval of 11days and irrigation period of 3 hrs. Total number of sprinkler head used was 12 sprinkler heads, a total discharge (q) of 0.73 litres/ sec/ sprinkler and discharge capacity of pump (Q) was 1.27 litres/sec. Proximate analysis and mineral composition of okra were determined using the standard methods of association of official Analytical Chemistry.