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Economic development

Precision Irrigation Plays Crucial Role in Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Agricultural researchers from the University of Athens have recently published a study in the Remote Sensing journal, exploring the potential of precision irrigation in managing crop production. The study, which was funded by the Eu Regional Development Fund, finds that precision irrigation can significantly reduce crop water needs, minimizing over-irrigation and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By utilizing a state-of-the-art aerial micrometeorological station and integrating remote and proximal sensors, the researchers were able to accurately estimate crop water stress and irrigation requirements, providing valuable insights for farmers, agricultural scientists, and local authorities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Precision irrigation can reduce crop water needs by 390%, minimizing over-irrigation and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
  • Correlations between high-resolution remote and proximal sensors were strong, while associations with coarser Landsat 8 satellite data were moderate.
  • The study utilized a comprehensive model for upscaling pilot field results to the overall Trifilia region, providing adequate support for sustainable irrigation planning through simulation scenarios.
  • The findings provide valuable insights for farmers, agricultural scientists, and local authorities, facilitating improved regional water management and sustainable agricultural policies.
  • The study was conducted over two years of pilot testing in the Trifilia municipality (Peloponnese, Greece) on primary cultivations such as potato and watermelon.
  • The research was conducted by Emmanouil Psomiadis, Panos I. Philippopoulos, and George Kakaletris from the Agricultural University of Athens.

Statistics:

  • Over-irrigation exceeded by 390% the maximum requirement in the case of potato.
  • Correlation between high-resolution remote and proximal sensors: R² = 0.85.
  • Association with coarser Landsat 8 satellite data: R² = 0.60.
  • Pilot testing conducted over two years in the Trifilia municipality (Peloponnese, Greece).

Sources:

  • Psomiadis, E., Philippopoulos, P. I., & Kakaletris, G. (2025). Non-Invasive Estimation of Crop Water Stress Index and Irrigation Management with Upscaling from Field to Regional Level Using Remote Sensing and Agrometeorological Data. Remote Sensing, 17(14), 2522. (Remote Sensing - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/remotesensing/.)
  • NewsRx. Research from Agricultural University of Athens in Sustainability Research Provides New Insights (Non-Invasive Estimation of Crop Water Stress Index and Irrigation Management with Upscaling from Field to Regional Level Using Remote Sensing and ...). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. August 15, 2025; p 560.

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