Patent ID: 7261245
Filing Date: 2007-08-28
Classification: A01G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for adaptive irrigation of vegetation including: a control logic for operating and managing successive cycles i of irrigation, with i=i [0,1,2, . . . ,n], for a vegetation having a maximum activity root layer (MARL) spanning a range of soil depth, at least one probe for insertion into the soil, each at least one probe having a length and having a plurality of contacts longitudinally distributed in spaced-apart parallel alignment for deriving depth-related soil impedance data under command of the control logic, the at least one probe being coupled to the control logic via an electric circuit, at least one I/O device coupled to the control logic and allowing a user to input data, a controller running the control logic and coupled to command both the at least one I/O device and an irrigation valve operative for starting and for stopping irrigation fluid flow to the vegetation to be irrigated, respectively at a depth Z both Z the depth Z the method comprising the steps of: operating the control logic through the successive cycles i of irrigation for: accepting the irrigation-begin depth Z accepting the depth Z whereby irrigation fluid flow is started in response to wetness uptake properties of the rootage of the vegetation in the MARL, and stopped before the drainage front reaches the depth Z