Systems and methods for determining optimal water capacity or distribution for each of a plurality of sections of a field to be irrigated by an ancillary span of an irrigation system are provided. A path is determined for a steering tower of the ancillary span that is comprised of a plurality of position-based coordinates. The position of the ancillary span steering tower (and thus the position of the ancillary span) relative to the determined path is always known and, accordingly, the optimal water capacity or distribution for the needs of its location can be readily determined based upon a calculated area factor percentage.

In one embodiment, a method for optimizing downstream processes for a plurality of flow controllers includes determining a water budget for the plurality of flow controllers based on utility information and a water amount used by the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers; determining, by a processing element, a run time water amount used by the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers during a watering run time of the flow devices; modifying, by the processing element, watering schedules for the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers when the water amount used deviates from the water budget; and transmitting, by the processing element, the modified watering schedules to the plurality of flow controllers to vary the operation of the flow devices controlled by the plurality of flow controllers.

An irrigation solenoid valve switch assembly is operable on a mesh network. The assembly uses a mesh network to transmit valve command signals that control the timing and amount of water discharged through a solenoid valve in multiple agricultural zones. A solenoid valve regulates the flow of water. A clock, or agricultural controller, generates valve command signals that control the timing and amount of water discharged through the solenoid valve. A hub controller operatively connects to the clock. The hub controller transmits the valve command signals over the mesh network. A switch operatively connects to the solenoid valve. The switch receives the valve command signals to control the solenoid valve, in correspondence to the valve command signals. The switch has a rechargeable battery that feeds direct current to the switch for operation of the solenoid valve. Multiple relay signal repeaters carry the valve command signals across the mesh network.

An irrigation method for coastal regions. The method includes: selecting coastal region and collecting natural and environmental data of the coastal region; building a basic database of the coastal region based on high-precision map of the coastal region; establishing a water demand calculation model for coastal crops and a multi-source water supply model, where the multi-source water supply model includes a multi-source water of mixed salt-fresh water calculation model and a freshwater source calculation model; calculating water demand Q.sub.demand during a forecast period according to the water demand calculation model for coastal crops; clarifying salt content S.sub.limit of the water demand during the forecast period; calculating the water supply amount Q.sub.supply in the coastal region during the forecast period according to the multi-source water of mixed salt-fresh water calculation model; and comparing the Q.sub.demand and the Q.sub.supply to accordingly regulate irrigation operation.

An irrigation method for coastal regions. The method includes: selecting coastal region and collecting natural and environmental data of the coastal region; building a basic database of the coastal region based on high-precision map of the coastal region; establishing a water demand calculation model for coastal crops and a multi-source water supply model, where the multi-source water supply model includes a multi-source water of mixed salt-fresh water calculation model and a freshwater source calculation model; calculating water demand Q.sub.demand during a forecast period according to the water demand calculation model for coastal crops; clarifying salt content S.sub.limit of the water demand during the forecast period; calculating the water supply amount Q.sub.supply in the coastal region during the forecast period according to the multi-source water of mixed salt-fresh water calculation model; and comparing the Q.sub.demand and the Q.sub.supply to accordingly regulate irrigation operation.

The sensing system S extracts a target area to be subjected to short-distance sensing by the UGV 2 on the basis of the long-distance sensing data obtained by the UAV 1 in the air performing long-distance sensing on a lower place, perform movement control for moving the UGV 2 toward the target area. And then, the sensing system acquires short-distance sensing data obtained by performing short-distance sensing on the whole or a part of the target area by the UGV 2 that has moved according to the movement control.

A system with sensor equipment including one or more sensors and watering equipment disposed on a parcel of land and configured to selectively apply water to the parcel, and a gateway configured to provide for communication with the sensor equipment and the watering equipment. The watering equipment comprises a watering pump, wherein the watering pump is operably coupled to a water source and a water line to alternately couple the water source to and isolate the water source from the water line. The watering pump further includes a pump sensor assembly configured to direct the watering pump based on detected environmental and operational parameters.

According to one embodiment, a method for generating a dynamic watering plan that reduces water consumption requirements for vegetation is disclosed. An example method includes estimating root depth of vegetation watered by a watering system; determining an allowed water depletion threshold of the vegetation based on the root depth; determining a training watering plan to increase the root depth of the vegetation over time based on the root depth and the allowed water depletion threshold; and transmitting the training watering plan to a flow controller for execution by the watering system.

According to one embodiment, a method for generating a dynamic watering plan that reduces water consumption requirements for vegetation is disclosed. An example method includes estimating root depth of vegetation watered by a watering system; determining an allowed water depletion threshold of the vegetation based on the root depth; determining a training watering plan to increase the root depth of the vegetation over time based on the root depth and the allowed water depletion threshold; and transmitting the training watering plan to a flow controller for execution by the watering system.

Techniques for providing improvements in agricultural science by optimizing irrigation treatment placements for testing are provided, including analyzing a plurality of digital images of a field to determine vegetation density changes in a sector of the field. The techniques proceed by comparing a distribution of pixel characteristics in the digital images for each field sector to determine sectors in which minimal density deviations are present. Instructions for irrigation placements and testing may be displayed or modified based on the results of the sector determinations.