Context

Farmers feel their crops by walking around in their fields. They look at the plants and take samples of the soil.

Precision agriculture increasingly relies on sensors. They provide an extra pair of eyes to gain insights on a finer scale. Moreover, alarms can be linked to these sensors. This way, monitoring remains permanently online, even when the grower is busy with other tasks.

Maximum yield through continuous monitoring of stress in fruit trees. And that with 30% less irrigation water? Research shows that it is possible, with the right combination of sensors and software algorithms.

Importance of data for irrigation

Growers combine different data sources to optimize their irrigation.

The weather remains an important factor. But preferably at field level. Soil moisture sensors learn what the available water reserves near the roots are. Dendrometers show in which growth phase the trees are and what the water balance is in the trees.

The water balance in every tree is a valuable measurement. Plants do not need to be pampered all the time. Biodynamic farming means mimicking a very natural environment. Irrigation then takes on an important supporting role. Namely:

• Ensuring that there is no water stress that is harmful to the plants, so that there is no long-term yield loss
• Ensuring that the plants do not experience shortages during the crucial growth spurt of the fruits, so that there is a maximum yield of first-category fruits.

Our role

Researchers and specialized advisors help the fruit grower and tree nursery operator to understand and embrace new algorithms.

PlantData Live is the IT partner to efficiently and robustly bring insights from sensor data into the agricultural sector in the field.

Ready-made building blocks allow for the quick integration of data sources from different brands and the calculation of custom algorithms. Our platform enables cost-efficient monitoring and automation.

The grower thus has insights that make a difference for him. 

Waterbalans fruitboom

Results

Research shows that an irrigation water consumption of 30% is possible in almond cultivation. This is in combination with a maximum yield of fruits.

For this, the grower must closely follow the signals from irrigation algorithms. This can be easily done thanks to our handy app.

If a fully automatic control is feasible, then PlantData Live will provide the irrigation signals to the irrigation system.