Smartirrigation turf app KATI MIGLIACCIO, PHD PE K.T. MORGAN, C. FRAISSE, G. VELLIDIS, J.H. ANDREIS, M.D. DUKES 1

Objectives 1) Gain knowledge on how irrigation scheduling can result in water conservation or applying less water 2) Gain knowledge on how the smartirrigation app functions and skills regarding how to use it For extension faculty: 3) Gain knowledge on how to report app use and related water savings 2

Introduction Urban irrigation accounts for 30 to 70% of residential per capita water use Automated irrigation systems not adjusted based on weather conditions or seasonal fluctuations in plant water requirements have contributed to greater water volumes being applied on urban landscapes 3

FAWN data for Alachua County 4

Irrigation scheduling Irrigation scheduling : right amount, right time, right place Weather based scheduling : measure weather data to predict water losses which are translated into an irrigation need (typically uses ET) Soil moisture sensor scheduling : measure soil moisture (water content) to determine when irrigation is needed Other tools : rain sensor, deficit irrigation, watering restrictions 5

Using a smartphone app for irrigation scheduling Use the Smartirrigation app to determine the schedule; weather-based approach Weather data are from Florida Automated Weather Network Similar to an ET controller in schedule development; different from an ET controller as the user must input the schedule generated by the app Research has shown that the app saves water compared to not using a weather-based or soil moisture based approach 6

Dr. Duke’s take on it 7 Director of CLCE and Professor in ABE Department

App introduction Turf irrigation app designed to calculate irrigation schedules or the time an irrigation system should operate with minimum user inputs and real-time weather data App framework includes input screens, organized by system and zone Turf app includes a variety of plants iOS and Android: Smartirrigation Turf 8

Introduction video 9

Let’s walk through it together Download app from google or iTunes stores (search smartirrigation turf) Accept notifications Register 10

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App details Inputs: location, name of system, soil type and root depth, zone name, sprinkler type, rate, area, week events (or days to irrigate), and water conservation mode Outputs: rainfall for previous week, irrigation schedule in minutes and depth per event 16

Water savings Irrigation water savings ranged from 42 to 57% with the app and ET controllers compared to the time based schedule with no difference in turf quality Difference observed between the app and ET or weather based controller was found in the wet season; likely due to rainfall considerations with the scheduling 17

Using app notifications Rainfall probability over 60% for a scheduled event Rainfall occurred 24 hrs prior to a scheduled event 18

Water conservation mode Seasonal WC: R > ET, reduce irrigation 25% Year round WC: irrigate at 25% deficit Provides some consideration for rainfall 19

User video 20

Reporting 21 Activity Water savings (gal/1,000 sq ft/yr) Approximate costDocumentation Install soil moisture sensor or evapotranspiration controller 11,118–22, Or free with the app SMSs and ET controllers tend to reduce irrigation by 35%–72%. Boyer and Dukes, Estimating Water Savings Potential of Florida-Friendly Landscaping Activities AE515

App web tool 22

Other resources Project website: Kati’s website for videos: EDIS on app: 23

Future ideas Develop voice over powerpoint of presentation that can be used by others who cannot be at IST or who would like a refresher on topic Develop common evaluation form (pre/post) 24

Acknowledgements & more Initial development of the citrus, cotton, strawberry, and turf apps were funded by USDA NIWQP Award number Incorporation of drought strategies and demonstrations were awarded by USDA NRCS CIG Award number 69-3A from 2013 to Field plot validations was funded by USDA NIWQP Award number from 2013 to Additional funding provided by UF IFAS Urban BMP program (Michael Dukes) for expansion of tool to other plants. Smartirrigationapps.org Thanks to Don and Esen for inviting me to speak today 25