Efficient water management is one of the main challenges in agriculture, particularly in times of climate change and water scarcity. To address this issue, EMBRAPA Agroindústria Tropical (CE), in partnership with the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), the Instituto Atlântico Laboratory of Technological Innovation and Scientific Experimentation (LITEC), and the Ceará-based company 3V3 Tecnologia, has developed a low-cost artificial intelligence (AI) technology that aims to assist farmers in making more informed decisions regarding irrigation.
The device uses leaf energy balance to determine plants’ water needs by analyzing leaf temperature. The system detects signs of water stress, helping farmers manage water more efficiently and reduce waste. This monitoring tool offers a practical and automated way for farmers to fine-tune irrigation based on plant conditions.
How the Technology Works
The system comprises three main devices: a leaf temperature sensor, an aspirated psychrometer, and a pyranometer. The leaf temperature sensor uses thermistors attached to the leaves’ surface to measure temperature variations regarding the air and humidity. Data is collected every minute and transmitted to a server via a low-power radio frequency protocol.
At the same time, the aspirated psychrometer measures air temperature and humidity, while the pyranometer monitors solar radiation. With this information, the system determines when irrigation is needed and automatically triggers irrigation devices, adjusting the water supply based on plant and environmental conditions.
Benefits for Small- and Medium-Scale Farmers
The use of AI for irrigation management offers a significant advantage: it makes advanced technology more accessible to small- and medium-scale farmers. According to Otto Sousa, a computer engineer and graduate student at UFC, developing low-cost solutions is essential since many electronic devices are still imported, making them expensive in the Brazilian market.
This affordability allows more farmers to use the technology to optimize water management in their crops without compromising their financial sustainability. Additionally, automating irrigation processes helps conserve resources and reduce environmental impact by minimizing water usage and preventing plant water stress.
Field Validation
To validate the technology’s effectiveness, EMBRAPA performed experiments with the BRS Gorutuba maize variety in partnership with EMBRAPA Maize and Sorghum (MG) and EMBRAPA Coastal Tablelands (SE). Maize seedlings were grown under controlled conditions with continuous monitoring of humidity, temperature, and solar radiation.
The sensors installed on the leaves showed the technology’s ability to accurately detect variations in the plants’ water status, enabling quick and automatic irrigation adjustments. The experiment confirmed the system’s potential to improve water management, ensuring crop health and optimizing the use of available resources.