Scheduling Irrigation Using an Automatic Weather Station:I. System Components, Implementation and Operation

Abstract

An automatic weather station, was installed, calibrated and operated at the Educational Farm of the College of Agriculture, King Saud University. The purpose of this station is to collect the weather data required for irrigation scheduling of wheat crop grown at the site. This paper describes the various components of the station together with the programming and software arrangements for handling the data. A discussion is made on the functioning of the station in the central region, Saudi Arabia and the impact of adoption of such irrigation scheduling technique on the conservation of water, energy and labour requirements. Some recommendations on proper management are reported