Surface irrigation systems account for over 90% of Australia's irrigation cotton which involve gravity fed water flowing along a field. Surface irrigation events are typically managed by manually inspecting the location of water along each furrow and stopping the water inflow when the water reaches the end of the field. Existing commercial advance sensors measure single fixed points in the field; however, irrigation advance rates can vary significantly between crop rows. Current research has shown colour and temperature can indicate water advance. This project will research detection of advance rate using visual responses from a field edge camera-based system when water approaches the tail drain.

Dr Alison McCarthy

• Dr Malcolm Gillies

• Institute for Agriculture and the Environment
• National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture
• School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
• School of Engineering

• Agriculture, Land and Farm Management
• Crop and Pasture Production
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering

• Doctor of Philosophy (DPHD)
• Master of Research (MRES)
• Master of Research (MRES)