SMART IRRIGATION: SMARTPHONE TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGING URBAN AND AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: OTHER GRANTS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0227164
• Grant No.: 2011-51130-31143
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $398,800.00
• Proposal No.: 2011-05094
• Project Start Date: Sep 1, 2011
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2016
• Grant Year: 2011
• Program Code: [110.A]- National Water Resource Proposals

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611

Performing Department
Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead

Non Technical Summary
Fresh water supply shortages are increasingly common in the Southeast US. The growing population in this region has been suggested as a key component contributing to this water stress as well as climate variability and change. A 2010 report indicated that by 2050 much of Florida is projected to be at high to extreme risk of water shortage while water shortage in Georgia is projected to range from moderate to extreme (Spencer and Altman, 2010). Irrigation has been shown to be a substantial user of fresh water supplies in the Southeast - both for agriculture and urban applications. Thus, irrigation provides one source of potential water savings if irrigation practices can be improved. With the growing price of fuel and potential restrictions on irrigation water, these apps will also be useful for increased sustainability by providing at-your-fingertips knowledge for improved irrigation (and water conservation) and potential financial savings through lower fuel costs (less pump time). We will develop models that require minimum input using real-time weather data to improve irrigation practices in citrus, cotton, strawberry, and urban lawn environments. These simple models will be converted into Smartphone apps to be used quickly and efficiently by stakeholders. The apps will include both real-time and forecasting components. Stakeholders will test the apps and further modifications will be made as needed to improve their performance before public release. We will also conduct train-the-trainer and train-the-stakeholder workshops to further disseminate these products. Our initial goal is to reach Florida and Georgia irrigators with future efforts expanding further into the Southeast region. All efforts will be coordinated through the Southeast Climate Consortium and linked with AgroClimate and the Florida Automated Weather Network.

Animal Health Component

50%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

10%

Applied

50%

Developmental

40%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
111	0210	2050	20%
111	0999	2050	10%
111	1122	2050	10%
111	1719	2050	10%
111	2130	2050	10%
132	0210	2020	10%
132	0210	2050	20%
132	0210	2061	10%

Knowledge Area
111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water; 132 - Weather and Climate;

Subject Of Investigation
2130 - Turf; 1719 - Cotton, other; 0210 - Water resources; 0999 - Citrus, general/other; 1122 - Strawberry;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 2050 - Hydrology; 2061 - Pedology;

Keywords

irrigation

water conservation

smartphone

citrus

cotton

strawberry

urban lawn

forecasting

real-time

apps

Goals / Objectives
Our project goal is to conserve water by improving irrigation practices using real-time and forecast information and engaging stakeholders through Smartphone apps. This project focuses on implementation in Florida, Georgia, and border areas of adjacent states with additional Southeast sites being included in future efforts. Four types of users are targeted: citrus, cotton, and strawberry producers and urban lawn irrigators. With the increasing price of fuel and potential restrictions on irrigation water, these apps will be useful for increased sustainability by providing at-your-fingertips knowledge for improved irrigation (and water conservation) and potential financial savings through lower fuel costs (less pump time). It is anticipated that using the apps for better irrigation will also reduce nutrient leaching, creating an additional benefit. Our approach will use real-time water balance information, such as measurement of rain and estimation of evapotranspiration (ET). This project will be completed through the following objectives: (1) develop, validate, and execute Smartphone apps for citrus, cotton, strawberry, and urban lawn to provide real-time and forecasting information; (2) incorporate stakeholders into the Smartphone app development process through focus group app piloting and continued review; (3) conduct in-service training events for county agents and specialists, conduct stakeholder training events, develop and maintain dedicated web site, and further advertise the tools through web, email, extention publications, local newsletters; and (4) further disseminate the methodology of Smartphone science-based apps to professional audiences through publication and conference presentations and to collegiate audiences through teaching modules designed and incorporated into course programs. Project outputs include four stakeholder-validated models that use real-time and forecasting aspects providing information to improve irrigation; four Smartphone apps that supply stakeholders with real-time and forecasting information that is used for water conservation in irrigation; four You-tube videos on how to use each of the tools; train-the-trainer workshops; stakeholder workshops in Florida and Georgia; water savings by those who use tools; two refereed publications; web presence and numerous extension materials; eXtension materials; Florida Journal of Water Resources publication; and collegiate learning modules.

Project Methods
Four models will be developed for use in handheld apps using real-time and forecasting aspects. These models will be developed with the intent that input requirements and outputs generated are appropriate for use on a Smartphone (i.e., Blackberry, Droid, and iPhone). The four specific models will be citrus, cotton, strawberry, and urban lawn. The apps developed for each model will allow users to input specific information to be used in generating irrigation practices to meet crop water needs. Models will include plant growth stage and seasonal variations based on real-time weather input (e.g., calculation of growing degree days). The real-time aspect will use a simplified water balance that considers the field capacity, rooting depth, evapotranspiration (ET), rainfall, minimum allowable depletion, and irrigation system characteristics. ET will be estimated using appropriate crop coefficients and ET estimation techniques that require readily available weather parameters. All apps will also include a forecasting aspect based on National Weather Service forecasts. Four small focus groups (5 to 10 people) will be selected to pilot the technology and validate the models used. As the Smartphone apps are evaluated, we will collect feedback for integration into the final apps. We will extend knowledge on irrigation scheduling, climatic variables which affect precipitation (ENSO, etc.), and the new irrigation scheduling apps to the agricultural and urban communities through local, regional, and national workshops. Local workshops will be divided into two phases: train-the-trainer and train- the-stakeholders. Regional and national workshops will focus on training stakeholders. Extension products will be delivered through video, oral, and written media - including eXtension. All products will be incorporated into the Southeast Climate Consortium efforts and have a web presence on AgroClimate and Florida Automated Weather Network. University level educational efforts will be integrated with successful educational programs operated by the University of Georgia's multidisciplinary degree called Agriscience & Environmental Systems (AES). We will create teaching modules that will be incorporated into key courses of the AES program. These modules will encapsulate the information that will be delivered during the workshops and will be formatted for a classroom/lab setting. Professional conferences and publications will also be used to convey project results and outcomes.

Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience were agricultural and urban irrigators, specifically those making irrigation decisions for cotton, citrus, strawberry, and urban landscapes. We also targeted extension agents through train-the-trainer events. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided various training and professional develop to irrigation professionals and to extension faculty in both Florida and Georgia. These events have been coordinated with commodity meetings, extension professional meetings, certified crop consultant trainings, and other. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to the communities of interest through media outlets, extension publications, workshops, social media, and other oultets. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? All objectives were accomplished. We developed, validated, and executed Smartphone apps for citrus, cotton, strawberry, and urban lawn to provide real-time and forecasting information. Note, we are still testing all apps in various ways including field trials.We incorporated stakeholders into the Smartphone app development process through focus group app piloting and continued review.We conducted in-service training events for county agents and specialists, conducted stakeholder training events, developed and maintained dedicated web site, and further advertised the tools through web, email, extention publications, local newsletters.We further disseminated the methodology of Smartphone science-based apps to professional audiences through publication and conference presentations and to collegiate audiences through teaching modules designed and incorporated into course programs.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Vellidis, G., V. Liakos, J.H. Andreis, C.D. Perry, W.M. Porter, E.M. Barnes, K.T. Morgan, C. Fraisse, K.W. Migliaccio. 2016. Development and assessment of a smartphone application for irrigation scheduling in cotton. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 127:249259, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2016.06.021
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Vellidis, G., V. Liakos, M. Tucker, C. Perry, J. Andreis, C. Fraisse, K. Migliaccio. 2015 A smartphone app for precision irrigation scheduling in cotton. Precision Agriculture 2015 701-708. http://dx.doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-814-8_87
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Migliaccio, K.W, K.T. Morgan, C. Fraisse, G. Vellidis, J.H. Andreis. 2015. Performance evaluation of urban turf irrigation smartphone app. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 118:136-142.

Progress 09/01/14 to 08/31/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience consists of extension faculty and app users. App users include producers, irrigation managers, and landscape irrigators. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This project has provided train-the-trianer events for professional development. During the past year, the following events occurred: Smartphone App for Scheduling Irrigation in Cotton, Reidsville, Georgia, 21 January, 2015 (19 county agents) Smartphone App for Scheduling Irrigation in Cotton, Tifton, Georgia, 22 January, 2015 (45 county agents) Irrigation Scheduling Tools, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Irrigation Workshop, Opelika, Alabama, 20 March, 2015 (20 attendees) Citrus nutrient and irrigation management workshops. May 19, 2015 Immokalee, FL 73 growers May 19, 2015 Sebring, FL 42 growers May 20, 2015 Acadia, FL 26 growers Agricultural BMPs for water quality - policy, challenges, and solutions. Irrigation apps presentation. April 29-30, 2015. Train-the-trainer, 24 agents; Gainesville, FL Spring Vegetable Field Day. Irrigation apps presentation. SWFREC, Immokalee, FL, 67 growers In-Service Training on SmartIrrigation apps and other irrigation tools. UF IFAS IST Irrigation technology: water conservation on-the-go; January 27, 2015 (Orange County, FL, 15 extension faculty/staff) Cotton Incorporated Crop Management Seminar, 12 November 2014 (140 crop consultants, cotton farmers, and county agents) Georgia Cotton Commission Field Day, Tifton, Georgia, 27 June 2014 (100 attendees) UGA Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day, Tifton, Georgia,10 September 2014 (200 attendees) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to complete the extension video development for web-based trainings on app usage. We also plan to further develop the teaching component that integrates these technologies into the classroom.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The apps have been developed and released. Modifications and updates to apps are occurring on an as needed basis. We have conducted numerous train-the-trainer and clientele training events.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Migliaccio, K.W., K.T. Morgan, G. Vellidis, L. Zotarelli, C. Fraisse, B.A. Zurweller, J.H. Andreis, J.H. Crane, and D. Rowland. 2015. Smartphone Apps for Irrigation Scheduling. Transactions of ASABE. Accepted.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Vellidis, G., V. Liakos, C. Perry, M. Tucker, G. Collins, J. Snider, J. Andreis, K. Migliaccio, C. Fraisse, K. Morgan, D. Rowland, E. Barnes. 2014. A smartphone app for scheduling irrigation on cotton. In S. Boyd, M. Huffman and B. Robertson (eds) Proceedings of the 2014 Beltwide Cotton Conference, New Orleans, LA, National Cotton Council, Memphis, TN (paper 15551).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: 1. Vellidis, G., V. Liakos, C. Perry, P. Roberts, M. Tucker, and E. Barnes. 2015. Field evaluation of a smartphone app for scheduling irrigation in cotton. In S. Boyd, M. Huffman and B. Robertson (eds) Proceedings of the 2015 Beltwide Cotton Conference, San Antonio, TX, National Cotton Council, Memphis, TN (paper 15863).

Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience has been commodity specific - cotton, citrus, and strawberry growers and urban turf irrigators. We also targeted county extension agents during this year to help train-the-trainer. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project has provided numerous opportunities for county extension faculty and irrigation users to receive training. Events have been held in GA and FL. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The results, thus far, have been disseminated through social media (BLOG, Twitter), news articles, extension newsletters, grower magazines, and extension events. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the remaining reporting period, we will continue to provide training on the apps and look for opportunities to expand their applied region. We will also work on publishing materials and presenting results to our peers. Any remaining edits that need to be performed on the apps based on user comments will be integrated.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? To date, objective one and two have been accomplished. We are currently conducting trainings (objective 3) and disseminating information. Each app has been incorporated into extension programs and publicized through social media and printed media. An in-service training was held at the Florida Extension Professionals Meeting in August to showcase apps and their application in extension programs. In addition, numerous trainings have been held in Florida and Georgia on the apps. We have received interest from others around the country and outside of the USA regarding our apps and the potential to expand them to other regions. We are pursuing these options as funding becomes available.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Migliaccio, K.W., C. Fraisse, G. Vellidis, K.T. Morgan, D. Rowland, L. Zotarelli. 2014. Smart Irrigation Apps. Envirocities. Dubai - United Arab Emirates Sustainable Smart Cities 8 (May): 11-14. Invited.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Vellidis, G., V. Liakos, C. Perry, M. Tucker, G. Collins, J. Snider, J. Andreis, K.W. Migliaccio, C. Fraisse, K.T. Morgan, D. Rowland, and E. Barnes. 2014. A Smartphone app for scheduling irrigation on cotton. In S. Boyd, M. Huffman and B. Robertson (eds) Proceedings of the 2014 Beltwide Cotton Conference, New Orleans, LA, National Cotton Council, Memphis, TN (paper 15551).

Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience reached during this reporting period includes home owners, commerical property irrigators, residential property irrigators, citrus growers, strawberry growers, and cotton growers in Florida and Georgia. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Professional development and training will be offered in the coming year. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Yes, the results are being disseminated to communites of interest. Each app audience is being targeted for implementation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The next reporting period will focus on the cotton app release, additional extension outreach and publications, and inservice training.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have accomplished most of goal one (developed, validated, and executed apps for citrus, strawberry, and urban lawn). We are in the process of developing the cotton app. Stakeholders have been engaged in the development and testing of the apps. We have also developed and are maintaining a dedicated web site, have published extension publicatiions, and dissiminated information at conferences.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Migliaccio, K.W., J.H. Debastiani Andreis, C. Fraisse, K.T. Morgan, and G. Vellidis. 2013. Smartirrigation apps: urban turf. AE499 Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae499
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Migliaccio, KW Smartirrigation apps presentation. UF IFAS Tropical REC seminar series. September 2013
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Fraisse, C.W., J.H. Andreis, K.W. Migliaccio, K.T. Morgan, and G. Vellidis. 2012. Smartphone app for managing strawberry irrigation in Florida. 2012 Florida Ag Expo (Nov. 7); Balm, FL; oral presentation.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Andreis, J.H., C.W. Fraisse, K.W. Migliaccio, K.T. Morgan, and G. Vellidis. 2012. Mobile apps for urban and agricultural irrigation schedule support. Southeast Climate Consortium Planning Meeting Nov 13-15; Tifton GA; poster
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Andreis, J.H., C.W. Fraisse, K.W. Migliaccio, K.T. Morgan, and G. Vellidis. 2013. Mobile applications for agricultural and urban irrigation schedule support. Sustaining Economics and Natural Resources in a Changing World: Key Role of Land Grant Universities. Apr 2-3. Gainesville, FL poster
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Andreis, J.H., C.W. Fraisse, K.W. Migliaccio, K.T. Morgan, and G. Vellidis. 2012. Mobile applications for agricultural and urban irrigation schedule support. ASABE FL and GA Sections Annual Meeting and Trade Show. Jun 12-15. St. Augustine, FL. Oral presentation
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Andreis, J.H., C.W. Fraisse, K. Migliaccio, K.T. Morgan, and G. Vellidis. 2013. Mobile applications for agricultural and urban irrigation schedule support. ASABE 2013 Annual International Meeting. Jul 21-24; Kansas City, MO.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Morgan, K., K. Migliaccio, C. Fraise and G. Vellidis. 2013. Smart Irrigation: Smartphone Technology for Managing Urban and Agricultural Irrigation. 68th International Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Meeting, Reno Nevada, July 21-24, 2013.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Morgan, K., K. Migliaccio, C. Fraise and G. Vellidis. 2013. Smart Irrigation: Smartphone Technology for Managing Urban and Agricultural Irrigation. NIFA Special Symposium at the 68th International Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Meeting, Reno Nevada, July 22, 2013.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Vellidis, George, Perry, Calvin D., Weiss, Martina, Barnes, Ed, Collins, Guy D., Snider, John L. A Cotton Crop Coefficient-Based Model for Scheduling Irrigation in Georgia. Beltwide Cotton Conference. National Cotton Council, San Antonio, TX. January 8, 2013.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Vellidis, George. Precision Placement of Water in Southern Crops, Certified Crop Advisors Agronomic 2-Day Workshop, (32 crop advisors), Valdosta, GA, 22 January.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Vellidis, George, Perry, Calvin D., Snider, John L., Collins, Guy D. Developments in Irrigation Scheduling for Cotton. Georgia Cotton Conference. Georgia Cotton Commission, Tifton, GA. January 30, 2013.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Vellidis, George. Basics of Agricultural Irrigation: New Developments in Irrigation Scheduling. University of Georgia, Stripling Irrigation Research Park (28 county agents from southern Georgia). February 5, 2013.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Migliaccio, Kati, Vellidis, George, Fraisse, Clyde, Morgan, Kelly. SmartIrrigation Apps. ESNA 2013  the annual international conference of the European Society for New methods in Agricultural research, 04-08 September, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs include a poster presentation at the 2012 NIFA conference entitled SmartIrrigation Apps, development of the strawberry app, developpment of the citrus app, design of the cotton and turfgrass app, and development of the project webiste (http://www.nespal.org/smartirrigation/). The results have been disseminated, thus far, through the website, word of mouth, and conference presentations. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences are citrus, cotton, strawberry, and turfgrass irrigators. We are currently developing apps to be used by these parties. Involvement with the stakeholders will begin in year 2 of the project. It is expected that the apps will result in more efficient irrigation. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
We currently have no measured outcomes or impacts as the project has just begun. We will start collecting this information in year 2 when the apps start being released and evaluated.

Publications

• No publications reported this period