Integrated Smart Irrigation System with Water and Fertilizer

I. System Overview

With the development and application of agricultural IoT technology, it has propelled the advancement of water and fertilizer integration. The intelligent irrigation system for farmland water and fertilizer integration based on agricultural IoT technology can automatically detect, allocate, and supply water and fertilizer according to the water and fertilizer requirements, growth patterns, soil environment, and nutrient content of different crops. It not only improves irrigation water efficiency but also achieves timed and quantitative control of irrigation and fertilization. This not only saves water, fertilizer, and electricity but also reduces labor input and labor costs.

The system is widely used in field irrigation operations, including large fields, dry fields, greenhouses, orchards, and more.

II. Integrated Water and Fertilizer System Technology Measures

Integrated water and fertilizer technology is a new agricultural technique that combines irrigation and fertilization. Utilizing pressure systems (or natural terrain gradients), it mixes fertilizers according to the soil nutrient content and the feeding patterns and characteristics of the crop species into a liquid fertilizer, which is then mixed with irrigation water. This mixture is supplied through a pipeline system, allowing for uniform, timed, and quantified spraying over the crop growth area. This maintains loose soil and appropriate moisture content, and also designs the water and nutrient supply according to the specific feeding needs, soil environment, and nutrient content of different crops during various growth stages, providing water and nutrients directly and proportionally to the crops.

Section 3: Components of the Integrated Water and Fertilizer System

An integrated water and fertilizer system typically includes water source projects, a primary hub, filtration systems, field irrigation and distribution networks, and a control software platform. It is also equipped with field meteorological and soil moisture monitoring stations. In actual production, due to varying water supply conditions and irrigation requirements, the integrated water and fertilizer automatic fertilization system may consist only of some of the equipment.

    Water Source Project

Rivers, canals, lakes, wells, and reservoirs can all serve as water sources for irrigation, as long as the water quality meets the irrigation standards. To fully utilize various water sources for irrigation, it is often necessary to construct water diversion, storage, and pumping projects, as well as the corresponding power and distribution systems, collectively known as the water source system.

The main control systems involved in water source projects include pump start/stop control systems, remote monitoring systems for reservoir water levels, etc. These can be designed flexibly based on the pumps and pipelines within the pump house.

Variable Frequency Drive Pump Control System

    First Hub System

The primary hub system primarily includes pumps, filters, pressure and flow monitoring equipment, pressure protection devices, fertilization equipment (integrated water and fertilizer machine), and automated control equipment. The primary hub is responsible for the entire system's driving, monitoring, and control tasks, serving as the control and dispatch center of the entire system.

    Filtering System

Filtering equipment is an essential component for integrated water and fertilizer application. Some users mistakenly believe that well water or other water sources are clean enough and do not require filtration. However, well water often contains coarse sand, fine sand, and some chemicals that can clog emitters.

Therefore, it is essential to carefully select filtration equipment based on water source, water quality, and the size of the irrigation nozzle channels. Common filters include centrifugal filters, mesh filters, plate stack filters, and sandstone filters, among others.

Shijiazhuang Shengqi Technology offers a variety of commonly used filters. For specific solutions, please consult our customer service.

    Water and fertilizer integrated machine

The water-fertilizer integrated machine is the core of the entire intelligent water-fertilizer irrigation system. Centered around an automatic control unit, it utilizes sensor detection technology, microprocessor technology, and computer technology to automate the management and distribution of water and fertilizer supply. The system, based on user-defined ratios, timing, cycle modes, EC/pH balance conditions, and other logical combinations, uses a controller to inject various fertilizers into the irrigation pipeline through a set of fertilizer injection electromagnetic valves and an EC/pH monitoring system, dosing them appropriately and timely, to automatically complete the fertilization task and rationally control the water and fertilizer supply.

Users manage operations through a touchscreen, with the controller automatically adjusting irrigation and nutrient dosage based on user-set formulas and irrigation process parameters, including irrigation volume, nutrient absorption, fertilizer concentration, and pH level. This ensures timed and quantified control over irrigation and fertilization, conserving water and nutrients, saving labor and time, and enhancing yield. It is specifically designed for use in multi-span greenhouses, solar greenhouses, large greenhouses, and field irrigation operations.

    Water Distribution Pipeline System

Composed of main pipes, branch pipes, and small tubes. Main pipes are typically made of PVC, while branch pipes usually use PE or PVC materials. Tube diameters are selected based on flow rates; currently, inner-inserted drip irrigation tapes or edge-slot labyrinth drip irrigation tapes are commonly used for small tubes. Large-diameter valves are often made of iron. The inlet of the main pipe or branch pipe ends are fitted with gate valves, and ball valves are installed at the inlets of branch pipes and auxiliary pipes.

The function of the water distribution network is to deliver partially treated water to irrigation units and sprinklers as required. The lateral pipeline is the last pipeline in the micro-irrigation system. In a drip irrigation system, it is the drip line, and in a micro-spray system, micro-spray nozzles are installed on the laterals.

    Wireless Valve Control System

By real-time monitoring of soil moisture, microclimate, and crop growth information in the planting area, remote control of valve opening and closing, as well as timed rotation irrigation, is achieved using either wireless or wired technology. Based on the collected data, combined with local crop water requirements and irrigation rotation schedules, automatic pumps and valve activation are programmed to implement unattended automatic irrigation, segmented control, and prevent human errors.

The valve control terminal is directly connected to the electromagnetic valves arranged in the pipeline network. Upon receiving instructions from the field station, it controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valves. One valve control terminal can control multiple electromagnetic valves.

Electromagnetic valves are used to control field irrigation, and their installation locations and quantities are determined by the divisions of the design wheel irrigation groups for field water-saving irrigation.

    Environmental Data Collection: Soil Moisture Monitoring System (Field Climate Monitoring System)

Integrated water and fertilizer control is based on soil moisture test data, designed according to soil moisture monitoring standards. It not only can real-time monitor the most critical parameter of soil moisture, but also can add probes according to user needs to monitor soil temperature, soil conductivity, soil pH value, as well as air temperature and humidity, light intensity, wind speed and direction, carbon dioxide, rainfall, and more. Staring Technology can provide a monitoring and collection system for up to 16 types of meteorological parameters.

Section 4: Smart Irrigation System with Integrated Water and Fertilizer Management Cloud Platform

The software system consists of the Water and Fertilizer Computer Management Platform Software and the Water and Fertilizer Mobile APP Software, facilitating a two-way communication application between the computer platform, mobile terminal, and agricultural facility control cabinet.

The software system can serve as a platform for managing and controlling comprehensive information. Configuring different functional modules is to enable the collection, management, and control of information corresponding to the on-site environment.

      Computer Platform

The integrated water and fertilizer computer management platform mainly includes the following functions:

(1) Customize the water and fertilizer irrigation flow program's on/off schedule for different time periods on the PC, and the system will automatically irrigate according to the set program.

(2) The PC version allows for the viewing of historical irrigation records and the logging of starting a specific program.

(3) The PC end allows for the query of historical and real-time data, including pH and EC values, inflow volume, and inflow pressure. It also enables remote control of the irrigation system for the fertilization process.

(4) Automatic control of the on/off operation for the water and fertilizer system, pump start/stop, and outflow pump start/stop, etc., on the PC side.

(5) The platform must have environmental data collection and moisture monitoring capabilities.

(6) The platform must have a water level monitoring function, and it should be capable of linking with the pump based on water level settings to achieve forced stop control of the pump.

(7) Management Platform: Platform operation, storage, and management upgrades.

    Mobile App

The integrated water and fertilizer mobile APP software mainly includes the following functions:

(1) Customize the start or stop of the water and fertilizer irrigation flow program for different time periods on the mobile app; the system will automatically irrigate according to the set program.

(2) Users can check historical irrigation records and start program logs on the mobile app.

(3) Access historical and real-time data on Ph and Ec, inflow volume, inflow pressure, and more on the mobile app. Remote control of the fertilization system and garden irrigation is also available.

(4) The system can be automatically controlled on the mobile app to turn on and off the water and fertilizer system, as well as to control the operation of the pump to start and stop, and the water outlet pump to start and stop.

(5) Capable of linking with advanced control functions.

    Video Surveillance

Video surveillance systems can accurately, clearly, and rapidly transmit real-time images and data from the on-site water-saving irrigation areas to the information center. The information center can directly and in real-time understand and grasp the actual situations of each monitored location. At the same time, the management personnel at the information center make corresponding handling based on the monitored irrigation area conditions, thereby effectively managing the operation of irrigation facilities and the dynamics of the irrigation areas.

Intelligent Water and Fertilizer Integration System Configuration List (for reference only, please consult customer service for actual configuration)

Gansu, Huating County

Shandong Heze

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