A Fuzzy Decision Support System to Optimize Irrigation Practices in Trentino Region

This paper presents the development and evaluation of a Fuzzy Decision Support System for irrigation management to promote sustainable water use in precision agriculture. A Mamdani-type fuzzy logic model was designed to optimize irrigation scheduling for vineyards in the Val d’Adige region of Trentino, Italy. The system integrates expert knowledge with real-time data from tensiometers and weather stations to generate adaptive, site-specific recommendations. Bayesian optimization was used to fine-tune the membership functions of fuzzy variables, enhancing system performance. Field evaluations conducted in 2023 across multiple sectors assessed total water use, average soil moisture, and days exceeding critical moisture thresholds. Results show that the system reduced total water consumption by over 52% compared to traditional methods while maintaining soil moisture within optimal levels. These findings underscore the potential of combining fuzzy logic and IoT-based sensing to support scalable, adaptive irrigation strategies across various crops and regions.