A CONTINUOUS REVIEW INVENTORY MODEL FOR IRRIGATION WATER APPLICATION

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the problem of determining an optimal irrigation policy, that is, an optimal quantity and frequency of irrigation water application. The purpose is to present a solution to this problem using a continuous review model of an inventory system. Initially, the functions of the plant -water -soil system are discussed. This is followed by a review of several existing methods for maximizing crop yield or profit by determining an optimal irrigation policy. Next, the inventory problem is briefly examined. An analogy is drawn between the farmer's problem of determining an optimal irrigation policy and the businessman's problem of determining an optimal ordering policy. Subsequently, a continuous review model of the irrigation system is developed and an example of its use is given.