2Grow’s Real-Time Measurements Meet Aqua4D’s Optimized Greenhouse Irrigation

Published on by in Case Studies

2Grow’s Real-Time Measurements Meet Aqua4D’s Optimized Greenhouse Irrigation

With Aqua4D ​sharing similar ​values in ​horticultural ​efficiency ​– in ​particular in ​optimizing ​irrigation, ​2Grow were keen ​to have the ​chance to ​measure the ​effects of this ​innovative ​water treatment ​in real time. ​

A first ​collaborative ​study took ​place at ​Bioverbeek BV  between ​January and May ​2019 on organic ​pepper crops. ​

 

Method

aqua.jpg2Grow technology uses two types of sensors, one for measuring sap flow and one for measuring stem diameters. “Every action has an influence on the plant which normally cannot be measured at the exact moment it occurs,” says 2Grow’s Maxime Dedecker. “With these sensors, it is possible to accurately track the plant’s reactions to environmental changes (irrigation, temperature, etc.) or actions such as pruning or harvesting.” 

By seeing exactly how a plant reacts to every action in the greenhouse, growth can be optimized and the grower can react appropriately and as quickly as possible depending on the real needs of the plant.

In the case of irrigation, this means ensuring the soil or substrate stays in optimally moist conditions, something which can have huge knock-on effects. Previous studies involving Aqua4D’s cutting-edge technology has shown irrigating using this system can lead to higher yields, water savings, and better plant growth. Would these real-time measurements replicate these longitudinal results?

The 2Grow / Aqua4D study was overseen by 2Grow’s Olivier Begerem and Maxime Dedecker, and Aqua4D expert Raymond Lescrauwaet. The experiment was set up on two identical adjacent plots – one with plants treated by Aqua4D, and one control:

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Results

Using stem diameter and sap flow measurements, for four months the experiment compiled day-by-day and minute-by-minute data on how the plant was responding to being irrigated with Aqua4D treated water. “Using our tool we could really see the effects of the Aqua4D system as soon as we started measuring,” says Begerem. “Now after 4 months of measuring we keep on seeing the same effects.”

2Grow split up the Aqua4D results into three segments:

  1. Greater diameter growth
  2. Less daily stem diameter variation
  3. Earlier restoration of the internal reserves

Read the complete case study, described step-by-step on Aqua-4D's blog (link below).

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