Evaluating the Use of Intelligent Irrigation Systems Based on the IoT in Grain Corn Irrigation

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the management of smart irrigation in grain maize production (KSC 715 cultivar) at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII) located in Karaj, Iran, in the year 2020. Irrigation was performed based on 40% moisture discharge farm capacity and was compared with irrigation based on long-term meteorological statistics that have become common in the field (drip irrigation system, type strip, and determining the irrigation time based on the apparent reaction of the plant). The experimental results showed that under the conditions of smart irrigation management, sensitive phenological stages of the plant occur earlier, and the field is ready to be harvested approximately one month earlier; moreover, 35% of irrigation water consumption can be saved. Water consumption decreased from 8839.5 to 5675.67 m3/ha; in addition, grain yield and water productivity decreased. Although the moisture stress applied in the intelligent irrigation system completed the plant phenology period faster and due to earlier harvest, irrigation water consumption was decreased by 35%, water productivity was reduced. Finally, it seems that by adjusting the drought stress application time in more tolerant stages of maize growth in future studies and experiments, it will be possible to decrease irrigation water consumption while increasing the physical productivity of water.