The most advanced techniques of automatic monitoring of the main hydrological variables of agricultural soil will be illustrated, together with the techniques of analysis and modeling of the hydrological dynamics that regulate the availability of water in the soil. The student will acquire the ability to use hydrological data and hydrological simulation models in order to "process in real time" the water and irrigation balance of the soil, in order to plan and manage the irrigation distribution systems in a conscious and optimized manner.

The course will be divided into lectures (4 CFU) and exercises (3 CFU).
The lectures will cover the following topics:
2.5 CFU the measurement of soil hydrological properties, the automatic monitoring of soil hydrological variables, humidity and water potential. Estimation of the water retention and hydraulic conductivity of the soil. Pedotransfer functions. The processes that govern the motion of water in saturated and unsaturated soils. Soil water balance. Evapotraspiration. Modeling water flow in the soil: the Hydrus model.
1.5 CFU. Precision irrigation. Irrigation methods. The preliminary design of the irrigation system. Volumes, shifts of watering, discharges. The hydraulic design of the irrigation system.
The practical exercises will cover the following topics:
1.5 CFU. Soil texture determination. Soil water retention estimation. Fied hydraulic characterization. Using Hydrus.
1.5 CFU. Hydraulic design of a irrigation system.