Multi-criteria optimization of planning and operation of irrigation systems including the local rainfall characteristics with a special focus on sustainability

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Current irrigation practice generally aims at optimising one single goal only, namely, the short term economical yield. Thus, sustainability aspects or other important criteria are not included when looking for the irrigation management strategies best suited to this goal. As well, the influence of the stochastic properties of meteorological boundary conditions and the variability of soil hydraulic parameters within a field are commonly neglected. To tackle the problems which arise from these limitations, we propose a more comprehensive view of irrigation management optimisation. We plan to assemble a simulation system which allows simulating all relevant irrigation related processes for a considered location. On this basis we will develop optimization procedures that can handle not only stochastic boundary conditions but also multidimensional target criteria for achieving an overall optimal solution. We envisage generalising this solution on the basis of an extended pedo-transfer approach. This approach applies to surrounding fields, which exhibit within an irrigation relevant soil moisture range - similar soil hydraulic properties. Using neural networks and case based reasoning techniques, the new tool will finally satisfy the requirements of irrigation practice for a convenient and straightforward application.