Deficit irrigation-Optimization of water resources-Probes and sensors

Deficit irrigation is a strategy that consists of optimizing water taking into account the water needs of the plant.

When the crop is in a phase sensitive to drought, it will be watered, but outside this period, irrigation will be limited or, depending on the case, unnecessary.

This type of irrigation is also economically important, since it increases profitability without reducing production in a short period of time.

In addition, in relation to the use of water resources, it does not imply a significant change in the farmer's production, therefore, as a method of optimizing resources, it is one of the most effective.

How is deficit irrigation applied?

Already entering the matter, to carry out a deficit irrigation we must take into account these factors:

• Humidity of floor.
• Análisis y características del tipo de suelo, tanto físicas como químicas.
• Calibración de los parámetros de Capacidad de Campo y Punto de Marchitez en función del punto anterior, tipo de cultivo y ubicación de la finca.

At Plantae we follow each of the above points to the letter.

• We begin by taking samples of water and soil from the areas where the sensors will be placed and we analyze them in a laboratory.
• Once we have the results, we send them to the client and we specify the humidity range depending on the result obtained in the type of soil.

Deficit irrigation optimization

This range is delimited by the limits of Wilt Point (PM) and Field Capacity (CC) with which our clients will be able to get an idea of ​​where they should maintain the humidity point of their soil.

Leaving aside the agronomic part, it is very important to show the data in a simple tool that is understandable by users.

Many other systems offer professional but unwieldy solutions outside of research centers and academic settings.

For this reason, at Plantae we have worked from the beginning to offer farmers, agricultural technicians and agronomists a tool to:

• Data collection.
• Tracing.
• Automatic reports accessible from PC or mobile ( Android e IOS ).
• Simple to understand.
• Easy to interpret to make the right irrigation decisions later.

Plantae has the answer

The control of the water with humidity and temperature sensors-probes in the subsoil, as well as the conductivity and ambient temperature, makes deficit irrigation a problem.

Deficit irrigation is a problem for crops such as:

• Olives.
• Vineyards
• Almond trees.
• Walnut.
• Stone fruit fruit trees
• Citrus.

It is essential to measure the water deficit and its influence on the production and quality of the fruit.

The factors that we must measure to avoid deficit risk are:

• Do a study on the relationship between vegetative growth and productive growth.
• Analyze the type of terrain.
• Assess the irrigation system that is most suitable for crops and land.
• Assess the climate of the area.
• Adaptation of the crop to the area.
• Install sensors / probes that measure the humidity, conductivity and temperature of the land.