Precision Irrigation Scheduling Based on Wireless Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Water Use Efficiency and Yield for Winter Wheat in Sub-Saharan Africa

In Sub-Saharan Africa, where most irrigation systems are manually operated, water allocation and scheduling often based on uniform application irrespective of crop needs growth stages, which results in nonoptimal use. Recently, a lot research has been carried out to improve use efficiency through automation by employing wireless sensor-based monitoring systems. Further the improvement yield, while reducing costs, field trial was at farm Harare, Zimbabwe, during 2016, 2017, 2018 winter seasons test whether new approach automated systems, one IoT wirelessly connected soil sensors (called hereafter as WCSS), improves without yield. WCSS method compared with three widely used conventional methods, that is, manual scheduling, tensiometer-based weather-based scheduling. Impacts savings yield wheat crops under drip were evaluated. saved up 25% more typical fixed schedule rates growers season.