With the increasing pressure on growers to manage inputs more efficiently while producing high yielding, quality crops, there is a need for more accurate and intensive monitoring of management parameters. To cope with increased monitoring data, Crop Systems has developed an integrated package of software "Integrator", to collect and analyse test results and measurements.

This unique software package integrates laboratory data with field information, whether it is collected manually or electronically downloaded from sensors, and allows direct comparison of the different but closely related parameters to help diagnose problems more accurately. The full data history can be presented in a "real-time" graphic form within hours of data collection. A more dynamic approach to making management decisions can then be developed by the consultant and the client with confidence.

Nutrition Monitoring

Sap Testing, developed by Crop Tech in 1985, is a measure of the soluble elements in transport in the plant system which are available for metabolism, and thus is not only an indication of instantaneous nutrition, but can also be used as a measure of the rate of metabolism. The sap levels can be viewed as a set of diagnostic data that reflects the crop's reaction to the environmental and management influences.

"QuickSoil" testing is a new method developed by Crop Tech, for rapid determination of available nutrients in the root zone of plants. The use of this test has contributed to improving the internal quality and shelf life of a range of fruit, vegetable and flower crops. QuickSoil tests are also used to regularly monitor the movement of soluble nutrients through the soil profile to avert the leaching of nutrients into groundwater and reduce fertiliser wastage by eliminating unnecessary fertiliser inputs when nutrient imbalances in the soil solution reduce plant uptake.

The Integrator software scans Sap and QuickSoil results looking for patterns that indicate environmental or managerial influences that may be affecting nutrient uptake or metabolism. It will then make calculations of ongoing fertigation requirements based on test levels, yield expectation, crop removal, soil type and salinity, irrigation type, cation balances and crop stage.

The graphics package presents the dynamic changes in plant and soil nutrients over time, rather than only using the analysis as a diagnostic test.

The combination of Sap Testing and the new "QuickSoil" method makes Crop Tech's laboratory service unique, and has allowed for successful entry into the very competitive California and Florida markets.

Integrated Pest Management

"PlantCheck" consists of handheld computer software that enables the accurate collection of pest, disease and beneficial insect numbers, plant measurements and weather data which is downloaded into the Integrator software which collates all field and lab data and allows for immediate graphing of pest and beneficial insect populations. The instant pest and beneficial dynamics in graphic form gives the growers and consultants the confidence to reduce pesticide applications and rely more on natural pest control measures.

New Global Web Site

Integrator connects to the cropsystems.com site to provide rapid and flexible data access to consultants and growers around the world. The site also has a range of informative databases including pictorial library of pests, beneficial insects, diseases, nutritional disorders, sampling techniques and specific product information.

New Irrigation Monitoring System

"CropSense" is a new competitively priced wireless soil moisture monitoring system successfully tested by Crop Tech in 2003. The graphic data can be accessed from the web site, via radios, modems or directly from the field logger, giving more flexibility than any other system available in the world. The data will be integrated with the nutrition and pest software to enable rapid diagnosis of soil moisture related effects on disease, nutrition and crop performance.

The new system was launched in Bundaberg on 23rd October 2003.

Innovation Award For Crop Management System

In September 2003, Crop Tech received an Innovation Excellence Award for the crop management system in the State Government Export Awards program.