Smart Irrigation: integrating UAV soil moisture maps & variable rate sprays

该项目将开发一种最先进的精确灌溉系统，以优化用水和作物产量。具体地说，将开发一种基于L波段被动微波卫星遥感技术的新型无人机土壤水分制图系统，用于目前无法达到的精度和空间比例尺的近地表土壤水分制图。然后，这些土壤水分图将与灌溉用水输送模型合并，以校准土壤性质的空间变化和/或校正降雨量和蒸散输入的空间变化的误差。最终，水量平衡预测将被用于实施迄今无法实现的可变灌溉控制。

This project will develop a state-of-the-art precision irrigation system for optimising water use and crop yield. Specifically, a novel UAV soil moisture mapping system based on passive microwave satellite remote sensing technology at L-band will be developed for near-surface soil moisture mapping at accuracies and spatial scales currently not attainable. These soil moisture maps will then be merged with irrigation water delivery models to calibrate for spatial variation in soil properties and/or correct errors in spatial variation of rainfall and evapotranspiration inputs. Ultimately the water balance predictions will be used for implementation of variable rate irrigation control at scales hitherto unattainable.