Simulation of a collective solid-set sprinkler irrigation controller

8 The modernization of irrigation districts in Spain is based on the construction of 9 collective pressurized networks equipped with remote control systems. In this paper, a 10 simulation approach is used to explore the benefits of introducing a collective solid-set 11 irrigation control software. The controller works in combination with a district 12 management database, real time evapotranspiration and meteorology information and 13 a remote control system. Controller decisions are based on the simulation of sprinkler 14 irrigation performance and on crop water balance. The decision to irrigate a plot can be 15 guided by the use of two simulation parameters: the estimated application efficiency of 16 the irrigation event (heavily affected by wind speed) and a crop water stress index. 17 Simulation experiments were performed in a district located at the Ebro basin of Spain. 18 The collective controller resulted in water conservation (respect to the current 19 situation) of 2,234 and 4,664 m3 ha-1 for corn and alfalfa, respectively, and in an increase 20 in water productivity of up to 91%. Although additional research is needed to produce 21 a reliable collective controller, these preliminary results are encouraging. 22