Management-zone based soil moisture conservation practice and irrigation scheduling for precision agriculture using GIS | |
| Author | Kulal, Dnyandeo Madhukar |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AE-06-09 |
| Subject(s) | Soil moisture conservation Geographic information systems |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AE-06-09 |
| Abstract | A methodology was developed and implemented for irrigation scheduling and soilmoisture conservation practice using the management-zone concept in precision agriculture. for the conditions of cropping practices in the developing countries. It was verified in Nakhon Ratchasima province of Thailand based on primary and secondary data. Factors affecting irrigation and soil moisture balance were grouped under selected agro-ecological parameters, which were then used in the CROPWAT model in order to estimate the crop water requirement (CWR) and irrigation water requirement (IWR) for the crops cultivated in the study area. The moisture conservation practices necessary were proposed based on the simulated results of moisture balance corresponding to the climatic condition for each individual crop, in which appropriate crop selection, crop rotations and planting dates could be outlined. The CROPWAT was used to determine the CWR and IWR for three selected crops (maize, sugarcane and vegetables), whereas field moisture balance was estimated for rice. Water-scarcity was noted as the main cause for lower yields in the study area. Based on water availability and rainfall variation respectively, spatial and temporal managementzones (TMZ) were created in GIS environment. Land topography, elevation and the crops cultivated in the vicinity were also included in management-zones' definition. Two spatial (Irrigated and Non-irrigated) and three temporal (Wet, Moderately wet and Dry) management zones were identified. Crop rotation and the shifting of planting dates were suggested for the moisture conservation. For the dry season in a normal year CWR/IWR values computed were 310/289, 682/570, 1100/956 and 1706/970 mm for vegetables, maize, rice and sugarcane respectively. Whereas for the wet season, these values were 321/34, 610/298, 917/399 and 1661/887 mm respectively. The results were then linked to GIS for spatial and temporal based map interpretations. This study emphasizes field-level application of precision agriculture in the developing countries. It was an attempt towards the precision irrigation for moisture conservation that can be used for various other productive and vital purposes. The methodology developed by this research could be helpful for the planners and farmers for better crop selection, and to make optimized irrigation schedules on the temporal and spatial basis |
| Year | 2006 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AE-06-09 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Jayasuriya, H. P.W.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Salokhe, Vilas M. ;Babel, Mukand S. ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship ;Self Sponsorship |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006 |