4
Precise Irrigation -
Innovative sensor for
crops water status
Saturas, a portfolio company of The
Trendlines Group’s Trendlines Agtech
and the Migal Galilee Research
Institute, is developing advanced
sensor for precise irrigation.
Moshe Meron, Ph.D., a veteran
reseDrcher in the fieOd oI irrigDtion Dt
the Migal Galilee Research Institute in
Kiryat Shmona, invented the concept
of the Saturas innovation: a miniature
sensor embedded into tree trunks that
measures the stem water potential
of the tree. Stem Water Potential is
D scientificDOOy recognized highOy
accurate parameter for determining
water status in crops but, today it can
only be measured by a complex and
limited manual device.
With all due respect to saving water, in
many countries, water for agriculture
rePDins sXbsidized bXt Srecision
irrigation has added value, which is
much more important to the farmer:
the increase in yield, both quantity and
quality. For the farmer, precise irrigation
means higher income, less risk and
losses, and saving water. Today, most
farmers typically overwater crops by up
to 20% “just to be on the safe side”.
Overwatering puts pressure on an
already scarce and expensive resource,
increases pollution from nutrient-rich
runoff, affects the quality of the fruit,
Dnd redXces SrofitDbiOity
Different water sensors for irrigation
control have existed for 40 years, but
Anat Solomon Halgoa, CEO of Saturas,
explains why their sensor is innovative.
“The older and simpler sensors are
positioned in the soil and measure
the moisture of the soil and provide
statistical data. To water precisely,
you would need six to nine sensors
per hectare. “This is not economically
viable,” she says. “Other solutions
measure the amount of shrinkage
and expansion of the fruit or the trunk,
but this measurement is problematic,
insXIficient Dnd Dre diIficXOt to interSret µ
according to Halgoa.
Saturas’ sensor is tiny, easy to use,
relatively inexpensive and due to
the accurate measurement only 1-2
sensors are required per hectare,
therefor cost effective. For farmers
in developed countries, who have
achieved fairly precise irrigation, the
solution can increase yields by 5%.
For the farmer in Africa or Asia, the
increase can be up to 20%. “It is clear
to us that in the coming years, it is
easier to talk with farmers from more
indXstriDOized DreDs µ sDys +DOgoD ´bXt
the real potential is in Asia, Africa, and
possibly South America.”
In 2016, the company expects to have
a product ready for market. First’s tests
in Avocado, Mango, Peach and Citrus
obtained good and promising results. At
the moment Saturas is raising funds to
reDch D finDO coPPerciDOized SrodXct
For contact:
Jain Irrigation
acquires PureSense
assets
$ccording to oIficiDOs oI the coPSDny
the acquisition will bolster the
company’s overall irrigation expertise.
3Xre6ense·s fieOd Ponitoring Dnd
irrigation management technology
combined with Jain’s global irrigation
manufacturing gives farmers the
ability to increase crop yields while
managing limited resources.
According to Aric Olson, president
of Jain Irrigation, when they were in
operation PureSense delivered both
great innovation and technological
expertise using data and facts to
assist farmers in making better day-
to dDy ZDter IertiOizer ZeDther
and pest management decisions
that have a decisive impact on farm
SrofitDbiOity
“We are looking forward to build upon
the foundation that PureSense has
created.” Summed up Mr. Olson
At their peak, PureSense equipment
was deployed on more than 1,400
farms that produced more than 50
different varieties of crops.
Californians
preparing for a dry
summer
In a somewhat controversial move,
&DOiIorniD ZDter oIficiDOs drDIted D set
of mandatory conservation regulations
outlining varying degrees to which
communities will be required to cut
back on water use, ranging from 8 to
36 percent, depending on their history
of water consumption.
The regulations - slated for approval in
eDrOy 0Dy Dre SDrt oI &DOiIorniD·s first
ever attempt at mandatory rationing.
Earlier this month, Gov. Jerry Brown
issued an executive order requiring a
25 percent reduction in urban water use,
a historic step in a series of measures
aimed at conservation ahead of the
International Water Report