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Crop sensors, algorithms perfecting water predictions
Elizabeth Gracie
CSIRO Australia has partnered with local agtech company GoannaAg to produce WaterWise, combining crop sensors with weather data to help growers measure water stress and predict their future water needs in real-time.
This partnership will see the combination of both sensors and analytics “to maximise every drop of irrigation water used to grow crops” according to CSIRO.
GoannaAg already produces agricultural sensing systems for water use efficiency, but WaterWise will be the first to utilise smart analytics as a data stream for on-farm customers.
WaterWise works by using in-field sensors that effectively let the plants do the talking. The sensors measure the canopy temperature of crops every 15 minutes and then transmit the data to CSIRO’s sensor data infrastructure.
CSIRO’s sensor data infrastructure then includes the predicted weather forecast and uses machine learning to apply a unique algorithm developed by the CSIRO to predict the individual water requirements that crop needs for the next week.
“Being able to predict when to irrigate will allow our clients - farmers - to plan based on what the plant needs” said CEO of GoannaAg Alicia Garden.
WaterWise team leader Dr Rose Bodrick said that predicting the future water needs of crops was the real breakthrough science in this partnership.
“Our high tech WaterWise system can help farmers by giving them the data and confidence in their decision making because every drop counts,” said Bodrick.
“Just like humans, plants have an optimum temperature. When things are normal it is 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”.
Ms Garden said that the partnership with CSIRO and development of this innovation means that customers can access brand-new, Australian-made, science-based technology.
CSIRO is still aiding in the development and commercialisation of GoannaAG’s WaterWise innovation. However, the system that incorporates WaterWise is expected to be commercially available in time for the 2020 summer cropping season according to Goanna Ag.
The next step for GoannaAg will be the removal of in-field canopy sensors in favour of drones and satellite technology.
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