In recent weeks , J&A Flowers has tested the newfangled CARA MET Soil sensor from SenseNL at De Lier . These sensors allow for insight into the tooth root zone of the industrial plant . J&A Flowers is part of VannoVa , an alliance of chrysanthemum growers . Remco van Ruyven , who is responsible for cultivation at J&A Flowers , supervised the test . The CARA MET Soil is a newfangled sensor that is suitable for use in the soil , says Bram Meulblok from SenseNL .
He explain : " The aim of the test was to see whether the datum pair the grower ’s feeling to gain ground confidence in the sensing element and to see whether the CARA MET Soil sensor can help J&A Flowers to realize brainwave into what is pass off in the soil and thus optimize water insurance .
Despite the fact that the sensors also measure temperature and EC , Remco van Ruyven is mainly interested in H2O content data . " Measuring EC and piddle content in chrysanthemum refinement is difficult because it is grown in the soil , and the dirt is tilled before each cultivation cycle . As a result , the piece of music of the soil around the detector is always different for each sensor . Since it is potential to pose the irrigation arrange period of each sensor ourselves after repositioning it in a new section , the value are reliable and can be compare with each other per section and polish cycle , " says Bram .
The pilot program was in the end divided into three form . In the first form , two detector were site in three different section : one at a depth of or so 12 cm and the other at 25 cm . This setup aimed to assess how the effects of tearing were reflected at deviate soil depth .
In the second form , the sensors were disunite into two group for two subdivision , two sensors at 12 cm deep and one at 25 centimetre . This was used to see to what extent the sensing element were consistent in their measurement trends at the same depth .
In the 2nd stage , the detector were divided into two group across two section with two sensors place at a depth of 12 cm and one at 25 cm . This arrangement purpose to evaluate the consistency of the sensors ' measurement drift at the same depth .
The third phase , presently ongoing , involve equate sensor measurements with soil sample to determine whether the observed strong-arm properties of the soil align with the values of the sensors .
The first form show up that it is not easy to measure the soil with detector that have to be dislodge after milling . Since tilling creates variation in land aeration and soil can settle over time , the sensing element require to be calibrated after installation and the first watering . This process may need to be repeated if the soil has square up . In the second form , two detector were placed at a depth of 12 cm to closely monitor the settling process . Since the measurement graphs from the sensing element at the same fix and depth were consistent , diverge less than 3 % from each other , and correspond with Remco ’s feel ; Remco is sure-footed that in the hereafter he can rely more on sensor datum to control watering . With over 100 cultivation surgical incision , this could save him a lot of work .
Remco observe that he favour to minimise the frequency of watering because each sitting importantly increase air humidity levels . He want to combine more section for lacrimation and potentially adjust the amount of water supply applied to each incision .
" SenseNL has implemented an rattling routine in the web app , enabling the sensor tonotify when moisture horizontal surface settle below the minimum threshold and watering is required . A second low limit could signal when watering is allowed but not stringently necessary . This approach would allow J&A Flowers to fuse sections more easily during watering academic session , reduce the issue of tearing cycles , and lower the relative humidity in the glasshouse , " says Bram .
to the full automating watering , which is possible via the useable tie-in to the climate computing gadget , is not an option Remco is currently conceive . He does not want watering to bump mechanically when employment is still schedule in a polish plane section .
Remco prefers to retain control over when tearing go on , but any assistance in determining which sections need lacrimation or review will certainly make unnecessary him time and effort .
For more data : SenseNLAmbachtsweg 41F2641 KT Pijnacker , the NetherlandsTel : +31 ( 0)85 876 89 09www.caramet.com
J&A FlowersKreekrug 162678 PR De Lier , the Netherlands[email protected]www.jaflowers.nl
© FloralDaily.com/Annet Breure
