Sensors and analytics combined will lead to more crop per drop

Let plants speak for themselves. Agtech WaterWise using in-field sensors will help the farmers by predicting the water requirement of the plants. Accordingly, they can plan when and how much water to use for irrigation. This is a result of partnership between CSIRO and Goanna Agwil.

CSIRO, Australia: Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO in partnership with local agtech company Goanna Agwil (produces agricultural sensing systems for water-use efficiency) will see sensors and analytics combined to maximise every drop of irrigation water used to grow crops.

Using the 'WaterWise' system , plants will talk themselves meaning that with in-field sensors, the canopy temperature of the crops will be measured every 15 minutes. This data reaches the CSIRO’s sensor data infrastructure. Here, weather forecast is added to the data. A combination of CSIRO's algorithm and machine helps to determine the crop's water requirement for the next seven days.

The smart analytics of WaterWise will be delivered as data stream by Goanna Ag to their on farm customers thereby enabling then to predict when to irrigate and plan on the basis of he plant requirements.

In an Australian first, ‘WaterWise' is the only water-use efficiency product for irrigated crops that measures crop water stress and predicts future water needs in real time. The tech is set to help growers save water or produce more crop per drop.

The prediction of future is the real breakthrough science as per WaterWise team leader Dr Rose Brodrick. She further explains, "“Just like humans, plants have an optimum temperature. When things are normal it’s easier to predict when a plant will need water. But when conditions change – like with a new crop, a new field, or unusually hot or cold weather forecasted - farmers want backup with their decision making."

“The usual strategy is ‘if you’re unsure, just add water’. This is where using high tech can help give them data and more confidence in their decision making, because every drop counts,” she said.

This achievement of CSIRO involved a team of agronomists to plant physiologists, data and machine learning experts, software engineers, social scientists and innovation specialists. And it was done in record time.

The next steps for WaterWise are to take it from in-field based canopy sensors to drones or satellites.

Goanna Ag expects the system incorporating WaterWise will be commercially available in time for the 2020 summer cropping season