Water management is becoming increasingly important, especially in terms of efficiency in times of drought, and in regard to pollution and overuse in times of peak water availability. Crop Tech use the CropSense to provide a practical system of electronic continuous soil moisture monitoring that provides highly accurate readings to show:

• the depth of water extration by the plant roots
• depth of irrigation and rainfall penetration
• quantitive rate of plant water use

CropSense is a continuous soil moisture monitoring system that uses the dielectric constant of the soil to produce highly accurate moisture recordings. Sampling can be set as often as every minute through to every 7 days between readings. Multiple sensors attached to probes are placed inside access tubes, which are positioned in the ground. The are configured with sensors at 10 cm intervals through the soil profile. Power is obtained in the form of a solar panel and a storage battery.

Data may be downloaded at the logger using a laptop/PC, or remote downloading is possible through web, modems, and landlines.

Data outputs using CropSense software include:

• Soil moisture extraction pattern
• Depth and distribution of roots
• Movement of the wetting front
• Rate of drainage and onset of field capacity
• Onset of crop water stress
• Effectiveness of rainfall
• Effect of environmental, crop specific and cultural management decisions on soil water depletion
• Cumulative rate of drainage of any combination of layers
• Cumulative rate of evapotranspiration to provide a total rate per logged site
• Illustration of changes in soil structure

Using information, irrigation scheduling is more accurate and effective, as the exact amount of water lost from the profile can be replaced at the most beneficial time for the crop, as times of stress can be seen and managed to give the desired quality and yield.

CropSense offers accurate real time soil moisture monitoring

By setting sensors strategically through the root zone and logging changes in moisture levels at 30 minute intervals, the true dynamics of water movement and plant water use can be seen clearly at many levels through the root zone.

CropSense software presents the data graphically to show changes in the soil profile

• Multi-level agronomic guide lines for strategic irrigation management
• Note making function to act as an irrigation diary ofapplications

Using the CropSense to avoid over irrigation

• Improves yield and quality of produce
• Reduces water wastage and pumping costs
• Improves uptake of nutrients and reduces leaching
• Reduces the severe effects of water logging
• Improves soil aeration and lowers incidence of root disease
• Reduces excessive vegetative growth
• Improves resistance to fungal diseases like downy mildew

Using the CropSense to avoid under irrigation

• Reduce crop stress
• Increases yield
• Improves fruit size
• Improves nutrient uptake

Using the CropSense for wireless data transfer

• Approximate 4km range (depending on conditions)
• Multi access data retrieval via GSM, RS232 or via the web
• Easy installation
• Integration of irrigation, nutrition and IPM data

Crop Tech are Crop Systems distributors for the CropSense in Australasia and are currently establishing a network of agents throughout the region.

Please contact Crop Tech for further information