Soil moisture, soil temperature, and soil EC value (salt concentration) are important parameters in soft fruit cultivation. But how do you monitor these variables, especially when you consider that a nursery often covers dozens of hectares? In practice, we see that growers have to rely on their gut feeling and experience. Is optimization and increased sustainability possible?

Project ‘Soft Fruit Australia’

Wireless Value recently helped a large soft fruit grower in Australia to monitor his crops and optimize his process. The soft fruit grower in short:

• Nursery of several dozen hectares

• Plants in pots under semi-open plastic tunnels

• Wired system not an option

Values to measure The soft fruit grower wanted more insight into:

• The soil moisture

• The soil temperature

• The EC value of the soil

Sensor network with solar panel

To map these values, we rolled out a network of wireless sensors. These sensors were placed scattered throughout the nursery, so that they map these requested values at multiple locations. Thanks to a solar system, the sensors and modules can continue taking measurements at all times. The measurement data is presented in our online portal, Wireless Value Online.

Results The grower can now monitor and analyze his cultivation at multiple locations. He knows exactly how the values are developing and therefore has many new insights. This has led to positive results in various areas:

1. Cost savings The soft fruit grower now knows much better how certain values develop. He can intervene very specifically if the soil moisture content or the EC value of the soil is too low. This allows him to handle his resources more wisely. Moreover, he has less crop loss as a result.

2. Increased yield Thanks to the measurement values, the grower can optimize the growth of his crops. As a result, he has a significantly larger harvest annually.

3. Sustainability The insight into the measurement values also helps the grower to waste less. For example, he now only irrigates when he sees that it is necessary. This means less impact on the environment.

Pilot project This successful approach in Australia has since been applied in various countries. Now there are also growers in, among others, America, Mexico, and China who apply this method and thus optimize and become more sustainable.

Small adjustment, big savings

Our wireless measuring systems prove their value time and again. A small adjustment has a major effect on the product and on the environment. We see that thanks to wireless measuring, companies can handle their resources more consciously, which leads to major cost and environmental savings. We believe that wireless measuring is truly an important step towards a sustainable future. Curious about what we can do for you? Feel free to contact us.