PROVISION OF EVAPOTRANSPIRATION DRIVE TECHNIQUE TO CERTAIN TYPES OF IRRIGATION SCHEDULING SYSTEM

摘要

A method for remote management of at least one irrigation site, the site having a receiving device (4) in communication with one or more switching devices for controlling irrigation of the site, the method comprising the steps of (a) making progressive estimates of soil moisture content of the site; (b) determining an optimum irrigation event comprising a measure of irrigation necessary to increase the estimated soil moisture content from a Refill Point for the site to a maximum soil moisture content for the site; (c) monitoring at least one evapotranspiration loss (ET) factor for the site over a period of time; (d) calculating an ET value for the site for that period of time; (e) comparing the ET value to the optimum irrigation event to establishing an ET drive factor; and (f) in response to the receiving device (4) receiving an irrigation signal to carry out an irrigation program, causing the switching devices to operate dependently upon the ET drive factor.