• Development of real-time irrigation models to suggest optimal irrigation inputs by minimizing deep percolation and crop water stress.
• Simplified irrigation model, with a minimal and easy-access set of input variables
• Predict the evolution of soil moisture and irrigation demand for the following week.
Performance on Tunisian farm:
• Daily soil moisture’s forecast can reproduce soil's dynamics (R2 > 0.76)
• In 3 out of 4 farms, the irrigation model recommends lower applications than the amount given by the farmer over the season (potential for water savings!)
Final considerations:
• The key feature of this irrigation model resides in its simplified nature, making its implementation accessible to a wide range of users
• Providing flexible irrigation scheduling can support farmers who depend on irrigation distribution systems to plan irrigation events according to water availability