10
C. M. Flores-Cayuela et al.
Fig. 2 Scheme of the water footprint inventory process
The developed methodology combines the use of information recorded by sensors
installed in the field, with the characteristics of the crop, soil type, hydraulic characteristics of the irrigation network, climate data (both historical and predicted), information on water availability and production, to calculate accurately the water used
by the crop in real time in order to build a true and precise water footprint inventory.
Simultaneously, this information feeds an irrigation decision support system (IDSS),
which facilitates the management of a precision irrigation system to maximize the
efficiency of the use of available water resources. This IDSS provides an optimal
7-day irrigation schedule.
Figure 3 shows a scheme of the methodological approach to inventory crop water
footprints. The main calculation modules are described below (Fig. 2).
2.2.1 Farm Characteristics
The water footprint inventory methodology is applicable to both crops grown in
outdoor conditions as well as greenhouse crops, requiring the flowing data for
irrigation scheduling and Water Footprint calculation:
– Crop characteristic: The plantation frame (m m) and average diameter of the tree
canopy (m) are required for trees. For greenhouse crops, planting date and spacing
between crop lines are required including information about the greenhouse (slope
C. M. Flores-Cayuela et al.
Fig. 2 Scheme of the water footprint inventory process
The developed methodology combines the use of information recorded by sensors
installed in the field, with the characteristics of the crop, soil type, hydraulic characteristics of the irrigation network, climate data (both historical and predicted), information on water availability and production, to calculate accurately the water used
by the crop in real time in order to build a true and precise water footprint inventory.
Simultaneously, this information feeds an irrigation decision support system (IDSS),
which facilitates the management of a precision irrigation system to maximize the
efficiency of the use of available water resources. This IDSS provides an optimal
7-day irrigation schedule.
Figure 3 shows a scheme of the methodological approach to inventory crop water
footprints. The main calculation modules are described below (Fig. 2).
2.2.1 Farm Characteristics
The water footprint inventory methodology is applicable to both crops grown in
outdoor conditions as well as greenhouse crops, requiring the flowing data for
irrigation scheduling and Water Footprint calculation:
– Crop characteristic: The plantation frame (m m) and average diameter of the tree
canopy (m) are required for trees. For greenhouse crops, planting date and spacing
between crop lines are required including information about the greenhouse (slope