Smart Weather-Based Irrigation Scheduling Technologies

Abstract

Traditional irrigation methods show their significance and adaptability through their simplicity, low upfront cost, ease of use, and minimal reliance on technology. However, they often show lower water use efficiency as they can lead to inadequate watering, resulting in either short supply of water or water wastage and reduced crop productivity per unit of water supplied. Weather-based irrigation scheduling (WBIS) represents a significant advancement in agricultural water management practices. This innovative approach utilizes local weather data, particularly evapotranspiration rates, to optimize irrigation schedules and thus facilitate efficient irrigation management based on crop water needs. Weather-based systems’ key components include collecting the weather data influencing water needs of crops, instruments, sources of weather data collection, a processing model, and automated controllers that adjust watering based on real-time conditions. By integrating these elements, weather-based irrigation not only conserves water and environment but also enhances crop yield and sustainability in agricultural practices. However, challenges, such as high initial costs and technical complexities, may hinder its widespread adoption. By addressing these barriers through financial incentives and improved data accuracy, WBIS can become more accessible and lay the pavement for improved irrigation efficiency and positioning it as a key strategy for sustainable water management in a changing climate. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.