A two-dimensional finite element (FEM) model was developed to simulate water propagation in soil during irrigation. The first dimension was water distribution depth in soil, and the second dimension was time. The developed model was tested by analyzing water distribution in a conventional (clock-controlled) irrigation model. The values in the conventional model were calculated based on the literature. The results were consistent with the results obtained from the model. In the next step, a fuzzy logic model for irrigation control was developed. The input variables were ambient temperature, soil moisture content and time of day (which is related to solar radiation and evapotranspiration), and the output variable was irrigation intensity. The fuzzy logic control (FLC) model was tested by simulating water distribution in soil and comparing water consumption in both models. The study demonstrated that the depth of the soil moisture sensor affected water use in the fuzzy logic-controlled irrigation system relative to the conventional model. Water consumption was reduced by around 12% when the soil moisture sensor was positioned at an optimal depth, but it increased by around 20% when sensor depth was not optimal. The extent to which the distribution of fuzzy variables affects irrigation performance was examined, and the analysis revealed that inadequate distribution of fuzzy variables in the irrigation control system can increase total water consumption by up to 38% relative to the conventional model. It can be concluded that a fuzzy logic-controlled irrigation system can reduce water consumption, but the system's operating parameters should be always selected based on an analysis of local conditions to avoid an unintended increase in water use. A well-designed FLC can decrease water use in agriculture (thus contributing to rational management of scarce water resources), decrease energy consumption, and reduce the risk of crop pollution with contaminated groundwater.
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