CHow do you interpret the water data for your field?
What parameters should you keep an eye on?
The first: Soil moisture (VWC – Volumetric Water Content).
Moisture is the most important factor, as it effectively shows the actual condition of the field. But what should you look out for? The current moisture level, trends over the last few days, the rate at which the soil is drying out, and differences at various depths.
If the value drops too quickly, it means that:
- the crop is using up a lot of water;
- the soil is draining quickly;
- the sensor is not positioned optimally..
If, on the other hand, the soil remains constantly saturated, the risk is the opposite:
- waterlogging;
- root asphyxia;
- loss of nutrients.
The aim is not to keep the soil constantly wet, but to maintain the moisture level within the optimal range for the crop and for the desired outcome.
Second parameter: Soil temperature.
Soil temperatures can affect the effectiveness of fertigation, as they alter the chemical properties of the solution. Specifically, temperatures that are too high or too low require greater attention and careful monitoring, as they can cause various problems. Such anomalies may indicate plant stress, but they may also be due to malfunctions in the system or the sensors used.
Third parameter: Electrical conductivity (EC).
This parameter measures the quantity of elements present in the soil solution. An excessive increase in EC may indicate: salt accumulation, excess fertiliser, poor drainage, irrigation cycles that are too short, or incorrect fertigation.
When this value is high, plants may exhibit various types of stress.
Fourth parameter: Evapotranspiration (ET).
Evapotranspiration is a parameter that enables us to estimate a plant’s water requirements.
Naturally, ET increases with: high temperatures, wind and intense solar radiation. Understanding evapotranspiration enables us to: plan more precise irrigation schedules, avoid waste, prevent water stress and, consequently, reduce energy costs as well.
Combined interpretation
Having a clear understanding of all four of these parameters enables us to make more accurate decisions than those based on traditional data. Indeed, by monitoring these indicators, we are able to improve irrigation efficiency.
With Agrumino, our open-source IoT sensor – and more specifically with the SPRITZ control unit – you can monitor all these parameters in real time via the dashboard.
With SPRITZ, this data is automatically fed into the irrigation system.