An Expert System for Selecting the Technical Specifications of Drip Irrigation Control Unit

Abstract

The good design of irrigation system is one of the main steps of extent the life of the irrigation system, as well as increase the cultivated crop productivity by choosing the proper components of irrigation system control head unit ( such as pump, motor, filters, main line pipe, fertilization device, and the different control unit attachements). Different types of control unit components are used according to the system conditions for irrigation of agricultural areas. It is very difficult to find an expert at desired time and desired place for choosing correct control unit which are varied in different types and models. In this study, this problem was to be tried to solve by designing of an expert system for choosing proper components of control unit in irrigation network. A rule-based program named TSDI-ES (Technical Specification of Drip Irrigation-Expert System) was coded and compiled using Microsoft visual basic 2013 language. Generally, the expert system database obtained from commonly used all components of control unit in irrigation network in Egypt. selection of all components of control head unit in irrigation network were determined by taking into consideration the following parameters: water resource, irrigation methods, irrigation area, crop pattern, climate, soil properties, and well characteristics. Results of the investigation indicated that it is possible to use the TSDI-ES rule-based program for choosing all proper components of control head unit in drip irrigation network such as pump, filtration unit, fertilizers devices, and flow, pressure measuerement and control devices.