Crops are very sensitive to both dry and excessively wet condition. A lack of growth is easily seen in over irrigated areas or dry areas.
It is commonly accepted that 2 to 3% of yield potential is lost for every 10 mls of water stress that occurs (never recoverable). So to put some numbers around this:
- Cereal yields can be affected by up to 20 kgs/ha of yield for every mm of insufficient irrigation watering.
- Ryegrass seed crops can be affected by up to 8 kgs of yield for every mm of insufficient irrigation watering.
- Field Peas can be affected by up to 10 kgs of yield for every mm of insufficient irrigation watering
The aquaflex sensor is very robust, so it can be removed and re-installed each year depending on your crop rotation.
The sensor can be buried into freshly worked soil, which makes for an easier install job. It is best to install the sensor very soon after drilling and then spread some seeds over the install site to replicate the rest of the crop.
The longer the sensor is able to settle in the soil before data is required for irrigation, the better.
Save water, energy costs and time
By not irrigating when the crop doesn't require it, you will save yourself time in labour, money and water allocation.
Optimise production
Yield will be compromised if you don't irrigate when soil moisture levels are low, forcing the plant into stress.
Assist with difficult Irrigation Management Decisions
Without accurate soil moisture data it is almost impossible to determine the current situation and what the best course of action may be.
Environmental Stewardship
Installing a soil moisture monitoring system will help you prove your environmental management systems are robust.
