This study presents the development and the evaluation of a low-cost sensor-based system to optimize the management of surface irrigation at the field level. During a surface irrigation event, water flows according to the slope of the field and it is difficult and time-consuming to predict the optimal time when inflow should be stopped. In such systems, measurement tools are uncommon and those existing are far too complex and expensive to be used as decision support tools on small farms. This article presents the development of an Open Source system, based on low-cost technologies, Internet of Things and LoRaWAN network, that allows: (i) detection of water at the sensor location in the field, (ii) sending an alert by phone to the user and (iii) remote control of surface irrigation gates. The metrological characteristics of the system and its suitability were tested in real conditions during one irrigation season of hay fields in the Mediterranean region. The results highlighted the reliability of the low-cost sensor system for detecting water and transmitting information remotely, with a 100% success rate. Remote control of irrigation gates was successful in 89% of trials carried out in the field, and adjustments resulted in a 100% success rate. The savings in labour time for the farmer and in irrigation water volumes made possible by the use of this system, as well as the inevitable trade-offs between accessibility, reliability and robustness of new technologies for agriculture, are finally discussed.

本研究介绍了一种低成本的基于传感器的系统的发展和评估，以优化田间地表灌溉的管理。在地表灌溉事件期间，水根据田地的坡度流动，预测应停止流入的最佳时间既困难又耗时。在此类系统中，测量工具并不常见，而且现有的测量工具过于复杂和昂贵，无法用作小型农场的决策支持工具。本文介绍了基于低成本技术、物联网和 LoRaWAN 网络的开源系统的开发，该系统允许：（i） 在现场的传感器位置检测水，（ii） 通过电话向用户发送警报，以及 （iii） 远程控制地表灌溉门。该系统的计量特性及其适用性在地中海地区干草田的一个灌溉季节的真实条件下进行了测试。结果突出了低成本传感器系统在远程检测和传输信息方面的可靠性，成功率为 100%。在田间进行的 89% 的试验中，灌溉门的远程控制取得了成功，调整后成功率为 100%。最后讨论了使用该系统为农民节省的劳动时间和灌溉用水量，以及农业新技术的可及性、可靠性和稳健性之间不可避免的权衡。