Real-time monitoring and adaptive irrigation control for improved water use efficiency

Mediterranean agroecosystems are increasingly exposed to environmental pressures driven by climate change, including reduced precipitation, rising temperatures, and growing competition for water resources. These trends intensify uncertainty in water availability and pose significant challenges to irrigation management and long-term agricultural sustainability. Improving irrigation efficiency has therefore become a key strategy to optimize water use while maintaining crop productivity under water-limited conditions. This study presents the development and field application of a low-cost, automated, and smart irrigation system for horticultural crops, designed to enhance water management in Mediterranean agroecosystems. The system was tested during the 2025 growing season on two tomato crop varieties in north-western Sardinia. The area is characterized by intensive agriculture and increasing pressure on groundwater resources.