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QWater & irrigationWill automatic irrigation save me water?
Expert answer
In short: It saves water only if it works on real needs and is well set up — a timer is not enough.
It can, if the system works to real needs and is set up well. A timer that runs irrigation on the same schedule regardless of rainfall is not enough.
Before automating, check the evenness of irrigation, the pressure, leaks and the amount of water actually applied. Then set up the controls to match the soil, the crop and the moisture data, and keep the option of manual override. Automation makes the work easier, but you still need to check that the schedule is right.
Source: FAO. Material: Good practice 1 (remotely controlled pivot irrigation).