IRRIGATION SYSTEM HAVING SENSOR ARRAYS FOR FIELD MAPPING

摘要

A novel process and apparatus for selectively or simultaneously mapping field or crop properties, or applying irrigation water and/or agricultural chemicals are disclosed. The apparatus is an improved field traversing irrigation system having a plurality of sensors (15) mounted thereon for measuring in one or more field or crop properties or conditions across the area of the field traversed by the system (10). The data from the sensors (15) is then transmitted to a microprocessor (16) included in the apparatus which is capable of generating spatial maps of the measured properties across the field. These maps may be used to identify variations in properties across the field, to determine the field-wide need for application of irrigation water or agricultural chemicals, or to target specific zones or hot spots in need of selective treatment. Commencement of application may be effected manually, or it may be controlled automatically by the microprocessor (16) in response to any determined need. Furthermore, application may be conducted field-wide or selectively to the identified target zones.