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Variable Rate Irrigation Technology: A Step-by-Step Guide to Field Implementation

Haimanote Bayabil, Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw, and Vivek Sharma


Release Date: 3/12/2025

DOI: 10.32473/edis-ae609-2025

Agriculture

Abstract

This fact sheet explores variable rate irrigation (VRI) technology and its components and provides specific examples of field-scale applications of VRI technology with step-by-step guidelines for data collection, data interpretation, developing VRI prescription maps, and uploading maps for implementation. Written by Haimanote Bayabil, Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw, and Vivek Sharma, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2025.

About this Publication

This document is AE609, a publication of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date February 2025. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2025 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

About the Authors

Haimanote Bayabil, associate professor, Water Resources Lab, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center; Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw, assistant professor, Crop Nutrient Management Lab, Department of Agronomy, UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center; and Vivek Sharma, assistant professor, precision water management, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

How to Cite

Bayabil, H., Hailegnaw, N. S., & Sharma, V. (2025). Variable Rate Irrigation Technology: A Step-by-Step Guide to Field Implementation. EDIS, 2025(2). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ae609-2025

Authors

Haimanote Bayabil
Haimanote Bayabil
Specialist
University of Florida

associate professor, water resources, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead, FL

Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw
Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw
Specialist
University of Florida

assistant professor, crop nutrient management, Department of Agronomy, UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center

Vivek Sharma
Vivek Sharma
Specialist
University of Florida

associate professor, precision water management, UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Gainesville, FL

Publication #AE609

Peer Reviewed
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Disclaimers

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.