Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) system and method

An Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) system for irrigating a field using a water source, the system comprising:

• a sensing tube placed at a location on the field, said sensing tube comprising a sensor for measuring a water depth below a surface of the field at the location;
• a pump comprising an inlet connected to the water source and an outlet supplying water to the field;
• a pump controller controlling said pump;
• and
• a wireless communication system interconnecting said sensor with said pump controller;
• wherein said pump controller receives from time to time said water depth from said sensor via said wireless communication system, and further wherein said pump controller enables said pump when said water depth at the location is below a low water depth.

A control arrangement for use with a pump comprising an inlet connected to a water source and an outlet supplying water to a field, the arrangement comprising:

• at least one sensing device, each of said at least one sensing device placed at a respective location on the field comprising a sensor measuring a water depth below a surface of the field at the respective location;
• a pump controller enabling and disabling the pump, and
• a wireless communication system interconnecting each of said sensors with said pump controller;
• wherein said pump controller receives from time to time said water depth from each of said at least one sensor via said wireless communication system, and wherein said pump controller enables the pump when said water depth at said least one location is below a low threshold depth.