Harnessing Precision Agriculture with ProSense Automated Irrigation and Fertilisation Control System
- tass peters
- Jan 28
- 3 min read
Efficient water and nutrient management remain critical challenges in modern agriculture. Farmers and greenhouse operators often struggle to balance irrigation schedules, maintain consistent water pressure, and deliver precise fertiliser doses. The ProSense Automated Irrigation and Fertilisation Control System offers a practical solution by combining automation, real-time control, and safety features into one intelligent platform. This system supports farms, greenhouses, and large irrigation zones to improve crop health, reduce waste, and save labour.
Valve Control for Multiple Irrigation Zones
The ProSense system manages up to 10 irrigation zones with flexible valve control. Users can program automatic irrigation sequences with up to 10 steps, specifying which valves open and for how long. This sequential operation ensures that water reaches each zone efficiently without manual intervention.
For maintenance or special needs, the system offers a manual mode. Operators can turn valves on or off directly from the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and monitor valve status in real time. This dual-mode control supports both automated farming and hands-on management.
Maintaining Constant Water Pressure with Pump Control
Consistent water pressure is essential for uniform irrigation. ProSense uses an intelligent pump control system that automatically adjusts pump speed based on pipeline pressure. When pressure drops, the pump speeds up to compensate. If pressure rises, the pump slows or stops to prevent damage.
The system includes built-in protections such as:
High and low pressure alarms
Automatic pump shutdown if pressure falls below safe levels
Low-frequency motor protection to extend pump life
These features protect equipment and maintain steady water flow, even when multiple valves operate simultaneously.
Accurate Fertiliser Dosing with Proportional Valve System
Delivering the right amount of fertiliser is as important as watering. ProSense integrates a proportional-valve system that mixes and injects fertiliser with high precision. It supports four fertiliser channels, each with adjustable ratios set via the HMI.
The system automatically adjusts valves based on pump and pressure feedback. A PID controller keeps fertilizer pressure higher than water pressure, ensuring reliable injection without backflow or dilution.
Safety measures include:
Alarms for low fertiliser tank levels
Pressure alarms to detect irregularities
Automatic pump stop if the fertiliser supply or pressure drops too low
This precise dosing helps maintain nutrient balance, improving crop growth and reducing fertiliser waste.
PID Regulation for Stable Operation
ProSense uses two PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control loops to maintain system stability:
Water Supply PID keeps irrigation pressure constant, even when several valves open at once. This avoids pressure fluctuations that can cause uneven watering.
Fertiliser PID maintains a fixed fertiliser line pressure, ensuring consistent nutrient delivery regardless of water flow changes.
These control loops work continuously to balance system demands, reducing manual adjustments and improving reliability.
Benefits of Using ProSense in Agriculture
The ProSense Automated Irrigation and Fertilisation Control System offers several practical advantages:
Automated irrigation sequences save time and reduce human error.
Constant water pressure ensures uniform coverage across all zones.
Accurate multi-channel fertiliser mixing supports tailored nutrient delivery.
Automatic alarms and pump protection prevent equipment damage and crop stress.
Full manual override allows easy maintenance and troubleshooting.
User-friendly HMI control and monitoring simplify system management.
Farmers using ProSense can expect better water use efficiency, healthier crops, and lower operational costs.
Practical Example of ProSense in Use
Consider a greenhouse growing tomatoes in 10 separate zones. Each zone requires different watering times and fertiliser mixes depending on plant age and growth stage. With ProSense, the operator programs irrigation steps for each zone and sets fertiliser ratios for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients.
During operation, the system automatically opens valves in sequence, adjusts pump speed to maintain pressure, and injects fertiliser precisely. If a valve fails or the fertiliser runs low, alarms notify the operator immediately. This automation reduces manual labour and improves crop uniformity.
