---
name: orto-irrigazione
description: Design multi-zone irrigation system with baseline scheduling and automation logic. Use when: (1) defining water zones by crop water-need class, (2) calculating daily water requirements (ET, Kc coefficients), (3) specifying emitters and sensor placement, (4) writing baseline watering schedules and meteo-triggered rules. Outputs: Irrigazione system config (markdown) with zones, emitters, baseline schedule, soil sensor thresholds, meteo decision rules.
---

# Orto Irrigazione — Multi-Zone Irrigation System Design

Design irrigation zones, baseline schedule, and automation rules based on crop water needs, soil, and weather.

## When to Use This Skill

- **After orto-layout:** Crop assignment to beds/zones is known
- **System planning:** Define infrastructure (emitters, zones, sensors, controls)
- **Baseline schedule:** Calculate daily water needs and watering frequency
- **Automation:** Define soil moisture triggers + meteo override rules

## Process

### Phase 1: Water-Need Classification from Crops

**Map crops → water class (from colture_it.md):**

```
BASSO:     Carota, Cipolla, Spinacio, Pisello, Aglio (~100-150 mm/season)
MEDIO:     Lattuga, Cavolo, Broccoli, Fagiolo (~150-250 mm/season)
ALTO:      Pomodoro, Peperone, Zucchina, Melone, Cocomero (~300-500 mm/season)
MOLTO_ALTO: (Rare; non tipici orto domestico)
```

### Phase 2: Infer Zones from Layout

**Input:** `dati/layout/aiuole_dimensioni.md` (zone + crop assignment)

**Example:**
```
Zone A1 (15 m²): Pomodoro (ALTO) + Basilico (MEDIO) → Zone ALTA
Zone A2 (15 m²): Cavolo (MEDIO) + Lattuga (MEDIO) → Zone MEDIA
Zone A3 (20 m²): Carota (BASSO) + Cipolla (BASSO) → Zone BASSA
```

### Phase 3: Calculate Baseline Water Needs

**Formula (simplified):**

```
Daily water need (mm) = ET0 × Kc × Area_fraction

Where:
- ET0 (ref evapotranspiration) = climate-based (lookup from zone)
- Kc (crop coefficient) = 0.4-1.2 (depends crop growth stage)
- Running frequency = Daily need / Emitter rate

Example (Zone ALTA, July, North Italy):
- ET0 ≈ 6 mm/day (summer peak)
- Kc (Pomodoro, mid-season) ≈ 0.9
- Daily need ≈ 6 × 0.9 = 5.4 mm/day
- If drip emitter 2 l/h spaced 0.5m = ~4 mm/h per m
- Runtime ≈ 5.4mm / 4mm_per_h ≈ 1.3h ≈ 80 min/day
- Frequency: 1x daily or split 2x (morning/evening in heat)
```

### Phase 4: Define Zone Infrastructure

**For each zone, specify:**

| Parameter | Zone BASSA | Zone MEDIA | Zone ALTA |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|----------|
| **Emitter type** | Dripper (0.5-1 l/h) | Dripper (1-2 l/h) | Dripper (2-4 l/h) + microsprayer |
| **Spacing** | 0.75m | 0.5-0.75m | 0.4-0.5m |
| **Baseline runtime** | 20-30 min | 40-60 min | 60-90 min |
| **Frequency** | 2-3x/week | 3-4x/week | 4-6x/week |
| **Soil sensor** | Optional | Optional | Recommended |
| **Sensor threshold (soil %)** | 40% VWC | 50% VWC | 60% VWC |

### Phase 5: Outline Automation Logic

**Baseline rule (if no sensor):**

```
Zone ALTA (Pomodoro):
- June-July: Daily 7am + 5pm (split due heat)
- August: Daily 6am + 6pm
- Pre-frost (Oct): Skip if rain > 5mm in 24h
```

**With soil sensor:**

```
Zone ALTA:
- IF soil_moisture < 60% VWC AND (no rain last 24h) → Irrigate 60 min
- IF soil_moisture > 70% VWC → Skip
- Override: IF air_temp > 35°C → Irrigate anyway (heat stress)
```

**Meteo override (from orto-meteo-decisioni):**

```
- IF rain_forecast > 10mm in 24h → Skip 24h
- IF frost_alert → Move irrigation to morning (root protection)
- IF wind_alert → Suspend sprayers (only drip)
```

### Phase 6: Output Sistema Irrigazione Config

**File:** `dati/irrigazione/sistema_irrigazione.md`

```markdown
# Sistema Irrigazione — [ORTO_ID]

**Area totale:** [AREA] m²  
**Acqua disponibile:** [SOURCE] — [PORTATA] l/min  
**Vincoli:** [CONSTRAINTS_FROM_ONBOARDING]  
**Automazione:** [LEVEL]  

---

## Zone Irrigue

### Zona ALTA (A1 — Pomodoro, Basilico)

**Colture:** Pomodoro (ALTO) + Basilico (MEDIO)  
**Area:** 15 m²  
**Sole:** Pieno (6-8h)  

**Emitters:**
- Tipo: Dripper 2 l/h + microsprayer 4 l/h (angoli)
- Spacing: 0.4m
- Numero emitters: ~40 drippers

**Layout:**
```
          [A1 Pomodoro — Area 15 m²]
    
    Drip line 1 ──────────────────→
    Drip line 2 ──────────────────→
    Drip line 3 ──────────────────→
    Drip line 4 ──────────────────→
    
    Linea manifold: 16mm PE
    Main inlet: 20mm PE (from rubinetto)
```

**Baseline Schedule (June-August, North Italy):**

| Mese | Frequency | Timing | Runtime | Note |
|------|-----------|--------|---------|------|
| Jun | 4x/week | 7am | 60 min | Inizio stagione |
| Jul | Daily | 7am, 5pm | 60 min each | Peak heat |
| Aug | Daily | 6am, 6pm | 80 min each | Peak caldo + ciclo lungo |

**Soil Sensor (Optional but recommended):**
- Model: Capacitive VWC sensor (es. SMT100)
- Placement: 20cm depth, centro aiuola A1
- Threshold: 60% VWC → Irrigate (trigger)
- Confidence: Sensor ±3% accuracy

**Meteo Override Rules:**
- IF rain_forecast > 10mm → Skip next 24h
- IF temp_forecast > 35°C → Force irrigate (heat stress priority)
- IF frost_alert → Early morning irrigation only

**Safety Interlocks:**
- Max runtime: 120 min/zone/day (prevent overwatering)
- Flow monitoring: IF flow sensor detects 0 l/min for 5 min → STOP + ALERT

**Cost estimate:**
- Drip tubing + emitters: €15 (DIY, PE budget)
- Sensor (if): €30-50
- Timer (if): €20-50
- Total: €65-115

**Expected water consumption:**
- Zone ALTA: 5.4 mm/day × 15 m² = 81 liters/day
- 30 days June-August: ~2,400 liters/mese
- Totale stagione (Jun-Oct): ~10,000 liters

---

### Zona MEDIA (A2 — Cavolo, Lattuga)

**Colture:** Cavolo (MEDIO) + Lattuga (MEDIO)  
**Area:** 15 m²  
**Baseline Schedule:**

| Mese | Frequency | Runtime |
|------|-----------|---------|
| Jun | 3x/week | 40 min |
| Jul | 4x/week | 50 min |
| Aug | 4x/week | 60 min |
| Sep-Oct | 2-3x/week | 40 min |

**Emitters:** Dripper 1-2 l/h, spacing 0.5m

---

### Zona BASSA (A3 — Carota, Cipolla)

**Colture:** Carota (BASSO) + Cipolla (BASSO)  
**Area:** 20 m²  
**Baseline Schedule:** 2-3x/week, 20-30 min  
**Emitters:** Dripper 0.5-1 l/h, spacing 0.75m  
**Note:** Post-raccolta (cipolla maturazione), ridurre irrigation (rischio marciume)

---

## Irrigation Circuit Layout (Diagram Testuale)

```
[Rubinetto]
    ↓
[Timer/Controller]
    ↓
[Linea principale 20mm PE]
    ├─→ [Regolatore pressione]
    │       ├─→ Valvola solenoide Zona ALTA (A1)
    │       ├─→ Valvola solenoide Zona MEDIA (A2)
    │       └─→ Valvola solenoide Zona BASSA (A3)
    │
    └─→ [Sensore flusso totale (optional)]
        └─→ [Manometro]
```

---

## Automazione Opzioni

### Opzione 1: Manuale (Budget basso)
- Timer meccanico semplice (€20)
- Avvio manuale o timer accensione
- Pro: Semplice, economico
- Contro: Meno preciso, niente sensori

### Opzione 2: Timer programmabile (Budget medio)
- Timer digitale (€30-50) con 4+ programmi
- Cron settimanale customizzabile
- Sensor input: None (rule-based only)
- Pro: Flessibile, reliable
- Contro: No adaptive weather

### Opzione 3: Smart controller (Budget alto)
- Controller IoT (es. Rasprry Pi + Sonoff relays, ~€80-150)
- WiFi integration: Previsioni meteo automatiche
- Sensor integration: Capacitive VWC input
- Pro: Full automation, adaptive
- Contro: Setup tecnico, power requirement

---

## Meteo Integration

**Input from orto-meteo-decisioni:**

Weekly briefing (ogni lunedì):
```
ZONA ALTA:
- Previsione pioggia: 15mm Wed (expected coverage 60%)
- Azione: Skip Wednesday+Thursday (2 days)
- Reschedule: Riprendere Friday

ZONA MEDIA:
- Nessun cambiamento (pioggia marginale)

ZONA BASSA:
- Previsione caldo (T > 32°C) Fri-Sun
- Nota: Carota in raccolta; ridurre irrigation (no stress)
```

---

## Troubleshooting

| Problema | Causa | Soluzione |
|----------|-------|----------|
| Emitter intasato | Calcare/sporco | Pulizia nozzle; demineralizzare se needed |
| Flusso ridotto | Perdita linea | Check connection; sostituire se bucata |
| Piante appassite | Sotto-irrigazione | Aumentare runtime o frequenza |
| Marciume radicale | Over-irrigazione | Ridurre frequenza; migliorare drenaggio |

---

## Annual Maintenance

- **Maggio:** Test controller, verifica emitters (pulizia)
- **Giugno:** Calibration sensori (se presenti)
- **Agosto:** Check pressione sistema, repair leaks
- **Settembre:** Preparare per riduzione fall watering
- **Novembre:** Svuotare linee, immagazzinare per inverno

---

## References

- `references/irrigazione_parametri.md` — ET0, Kc coefficients, zone design patterns

## Assumptions

1. Fonte acqua disponibile (rubinetto, pozzo, raccolta pluviale)
2. Layout zone già definito (orto-layout)
3. Suolo drenaggio accettabile (>mediocre)
4. No flooding risk (topografia)

## Validation Checklist

- ✓ Tutte zone have emitters + baseline schedule
- ✓ Pressione sistema adequata (0.5-1.5 bar drip, 2-3 bar sprinkler)
- ✓ Max water consumption ≤ source capacity (l/min × runtime)
- ✓ Automation logic coherent (no conflitti sensore/meteo)
- ✓ Safety interlocks present
- ✓ Cost estimate reasonable

---

**Skill: orto-irrigazione** | Version 1.0 | Status: Production-Ready