Automatic control of water and fertilizer integration

When you hear aboutautomatic control of water and fertilizer integration, many people imagine a panel with a bunch of buttons, where everything works 'by itself'. In reality, these are constant adjustments, sensor failures and an eternal struggle with local conditions. For example, last season we had to redo the entire control logic for greenhouses in the Rostov region - the manufacturer promised an 'ideal system', but in reality the EC meter constantly stuck during sudden changes in humidity.

Main misconceptions and real difficulties

I still meet agronomists who are confident that automation is simply a “set it and forget it” process. Once, in one farm near Krasnodar, they installed a ready-made complex without even checking the chemical composition of the water. A month later, the droppers were completely clogged with sediment - we had to urgently flush the entire system and install additional filters.

Particularly problematic are areas with elevation changes. Last year, on a slope near Voronezh, pressure sensors showed stable values, and the plants in the lower part received 30% more solution. I had to split zones and configure individual controllers - standard settings don’t work here.

Now many are turning to systems like those offered byShandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,Ltd— their design initially includes the ability to calibrate to the terrain. But this is not a panacea: their equipment had to modify the data exchange protocol between modules when they worked in conditions of strong electromagnetic interference from an old rural substation.

Practical aspects of equipment setup

The most stable systems operate where the control of fertilizers and irrigation is divided into independent circuits. In a greenhouse complex near Kazan, a parallel control approach was used - a separate unit prepares the solution, the other is responsible for distribution. This complicates installation, but if one module breaks down, the whole process does not stop.

We gained interesting experience when integrating systems fromShandong Lingyao Co.,Ltdwith local weather stations. Their controllers receive data on temperature and humidity well, but they had to independently write the logic for reacting to a sudden cold snap - the standard algorithm reduced the supply of solution too slowly.

I always pay special attention to the calibration of pH meters. Once every two weeks I always check with control solutions - even expensive electrodes begin to “lie” after contact with certain types of sulfate fertilizers. Somehow I missed a scheduled check, so the system worked for a month with a deviation of 0.8 points - then I had to correct the consequences on the tomatoes.

Examples of implementation in different conditions

In the steppe zone we often encounter water quality problems. At the project in Kalmykia, the high salt content was not initially taken into account - after six months of work, malfunctions in the operation of the solenoid valves began. We had to additionally install a reverse osmosis system, although initially the customer saved on water treatment.

For perennial plantings in Crimea, drip irrigation was used with separate lines for different types of fertilizers. System fromShandong Lingyaomade it possible to set up daily schedules for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers separately - this gave an increase in the sugar content of grapes by almost 15%.

A completely different scheme had to be developed for closed soils. A farm near Moscow experimented with ultrasonic flow sensors - the accuracy was good, but they required weekly cleaning to remove lime deposits. As a result, we returned to mechanical counters with magnetic coupling.

Technical nuances of operation

Most often, it is the peripheral devices that break down - pressure sensors, valve flaps, fine filters. In equipment from Chinese manufacturers, includingShandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,Ltd, the weak point is often the connections of plastic pipelines - with seasonal temperature changes, microcracks appear.

Electrical wiring is a separate headache. In open field conditions, even high-quality cables suffer from rodents and humidity changes. We had to develop a rule: lay all power lines in double insulation, and use shielded versions for signal circuits.

The software of most systems requires constant updating. Recently I encountered the fact that an outdated version of the controller incorrectly interpreted data from new soil moisture sensors - the system watered the soil that was already saturated with moisture. Now, whenever I upgrade my equipment, the first thing I do is check the compatibility of the firmware.

Economic aspects and development prospects

Many still thinkautomatic control of water and fertilizer integrationexcessive luxury. But using the example of a potato field in the Belgorod region, they calculated: even taking into account the initial investments in equipment and improvements, fertilizer savings amounted to 23%, plus a reduction in labor costs - instead of three people, one operator handles the control.

Current trends show a movement towards modular systems. The sameChinese manufacturersNow they offer basic kits that can be expanded gradually - start with irrigation automation, then add a fertilizer control unit, then weather monitoring.

I consider integration with satellite monitoring systems to be a promising area. We are already testing a scheme on one farm where vegetation index maps from drones automatically adjust the watering and fertilizing program. It’s still a little rough, but the first results are encouraging - especially for large areas where point control is impossible.

Conclusions and recommendations

The main lesson from recent years: there are no universal solutions. Even proven equipment likeShandong Lingyao, requires adaptation to local conditions. I always reserve at least 15% of the time for modifications and adjustments after installation.

I advise beginners to start with pilot zones - do not try to automate the entire field at once. It is better to test the technology on 2-3 hectares, identify specific problems, and then replicate the experience.

And the most important thing is to never completely trust automation. Regular visits to the field, sampling, visual assessment of plants - without this, any, even the most advanced system, will work blindly. As practice has shown, the most successful solutions are born at the intersection of technology and agronomic experience.