Tailored soil sensing for optimal farm water management
At SISTAGRO, we are dedicated to optimizing irrigation water management by implementing tailored technological solutions that address the unique needs of each project and client. In the field of soil water sensing, our focus is on simplicity, scalability, and integration with agronomic advice and other critical management systems, such as ERP platforms. This approach ensures that our solutions are both user-friendly and cost-effective.
Through our experience with various sensing technologies—such as capacitive systems—we have learned that most of these tools deliver high precision, as they were originally designed for scientific applications. However, their complexity and cost can make them less practical for everyday farm management, particularly for low-margin crops. As a result, we are exploring more adaptable solutions based on modular designs, which allow us to scale the technology up or down to meet the specific needs of each project. Imagine a probe like a puzzle—customizable to fit your specific needs and budget. That’s what we’re exploring.
A key example of this is the Hydrascout HSTI capacitance probe, produced by Hydrascout Hydra Sensor Technologies International (HSTI) in Aix-en-Provence, France. This European technology offers a promising opportunity for advancing the adoption of soil moisture sensing tools. With customizable sensor depth and frequency, the Hydrascout HSTI probes provide a flexible and scalable solution for water management.
Recently, we have initiated trials with Hydrascout HSTI probes in vineyards in Portugal and almond orchards in Spain, which are showing promising results. These probes offer a cost-effective alternative that could be applied to a wide range of agricultural systems, including rainfed cereal crops for precision fertilization. A particular focus of our research is the Guadalquivir River basin in Andalusia, where we are conducting trials to test and refine sensor calibration for challenging soils, such as vertisols, which have unique shrink-swell properties. In collaboration with the HSTI R&D team, we are now working on local trials to develop new calibration functions and exploring the integration of data between SISTAGRO’s platforms and HSTI’s services. This project will enable optimized irrigation and fertilization strategies for the farms we are involved with. This innovation project, running from autumn 2024 to summer 2025 in Córdoba, involves soil sampling, testing various probe models and configuration setups, and refining calibration techniques customized to our local soil challenges and crops of interest, such as almonds, olives, and vines. We will also conduct cross-comparisons with other sensing technologies, in collaboration with both local and international researchers. A special thanks to the IAS-CSIC Agronomy department, which will be coordinating their research on almond water use alongside our trials using this technology.
Follow our progress as we aim to introduce innovative solutions that will contribute effectively to the digitalization of agronomy advisory services and irrigation planning.
For those interested in learning more about this project and how to integrate the outcomes with your needs, please do not hesitate to contact us.