Automated irrigation of apple trees based on dendrometer sensors
This study evaluates the efficiency of an automated irrigation system using dendrometer sensors in apple orchards and compares it to a standard grower commercial irrigation approach based on soil moisture sensors. An algorithm was developed to balance daily stem shrinkage (water loss) and expansion...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Agricultural Water Management |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037837742500112X |
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| _version_ | 1850032481391083520 |
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| author | Thainná Waldburger Thomas Anken Marianne Cockburn Achim Walter Matthias Hatt Camilo Chiang Hassan-Roland Nasser |
| author_facet | Thainná Waldburger Thomas Anken Marianne Cockburn Achim Walter Matthias Hatt Camilo Chiang Hassan-Roland Nasser |
| author_sort | Thainná Waldburger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study evaluates the efficiency of an automated irrigation system using dendrometer sensors in apple orchards and compares it to a standard grower commercial irrigation approach based on soil moisture sensors. An algorithm was developed to balance daily stem shrinkage (water loss) and expansion (water uptake), aiming for a stable dendrometer signal. The dendrometer-based irrigation system (DENDRO) significantly reduced water use—by 38 % in 2022 and more than 45 % in 2023—while maintaining yields similar to those of the soil moisture-based system (SOIL). The DENDRO responded quite well to plant water stress, as indicated by stem water potential (WP). Although the tested algorithm proved to be efficient, the results also indicated the potential for optimization. One example is shortening the averaging period used to calculate stem recovery (RΔ). The SOIL method was effective in fruit production but proved to be less efficient in reflecting water needs. Alternative approaches, including FAO-based irrigation (FAO) and a linear regression model combining dendrometer parameters and climatic data (MODEL), were also assessed. The FAO method tended to overestimate water requirements, while the MODEL method showed promise for dynamic irrigation adjustment based on climatic conditions and dendrometer values. Overall, the findings highlight the advantage of integrating plant-based sensors, such as dendrometers, for more precise irrigation management in orchard systems, leading to more sustainable water use without compromising crop yield. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-73299d4facf245eba6275e7c773c0c19 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1873-2283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agricultural Water Management |
| spelling | doaj-art-73299d4facf245eba6275e7c773c0c192025-08-20T02:58:37ZengElsevierAgricultural Water Management1873-22832025-04-0131110939810.1016/j.agwat.2025.109398Automated irrigation of apple trees based on dendrometer sensorsThainná Waldburger0Thomas Anken1Marianne Cockburn2Achim Walter3Matthias Hatt4Camilo Chiang5Hassan-Roland Nasser6Agroscope, Competitiveness and System Evaluation, Tänikon 1, Ettenhausen 8356, Switzerland; Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich 8092, Switzerland; Corresponding author at: Agroscope, Competitiveness and System Evaluation, Tänikon 1, Ettenhausen 8356, Switzerland.Agroscope, Competitiveness and System Evaluation, Tänikon 1, Ettenhausen 8356, SwitzerlandAgroscope, Animals and animal products, Equines, Les Longs-Prés, Avenches 1580, SwitzerlandInstitute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 2, Zurich 8092, SwitzerlandAgroscope, Competitiveness and System Evaluation, Tänikon 1, Ettenhausen 8356, SwitzerlandAgroscope, Competitiveness and System Evaluation, Tänikon 1, Ettenhausen 8356, SwitzerlandAgroscope, Competitiveness and System Evaluation, Tänikon 1, Ettenhausen 8356, SwitzerlandThis study evaluates the efficiency of an automated irrigation system using dendrometer sensors in apple orchards and compares it to a standard grower commercial irrigation approach based on soil moisture sensors. An algorithm was developed to balance daily stem shrinkage (water loss) and expansion (water uptake), aiming for a stable dendrometer signal. The dendrometer-based irrigation system (DENDRO) significantly reduced water use—by 38 % in 2022 and more than 45 % in 2023—while maintaining yields similar to those of the soil moisture-based system (SOIL). The DENDRO responded quite well to plant water stress, as indicated by stem water potential (WP). Although the tested algorithm proved to be efficient, the results also indicated the potential for optimization. One example is shortening the averaging period used to calculate stem recovery (RΔ). The SOIL method was effective in fruit production but proved to be less efficient in reflecting water needs. Alternative approaches, including FAO-based irrigation (FAO) and a linear regression model combining dendrometer parameters and climatic data (MODEL), were also assessed. The FAO method tended to overestimate water requirements, while the MODEL method showed promise for dynamic irrigation adjustment based on climatic conditions and dendrometer values. Overall, the findings highlight the advantage of integrating plant-based sensors, such as dendrometers, for more precise irrigation management in orchard systems, leading to more sustainable water use without compromising crop yield.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037837742500112X |
| spellingShingle | Thainná Waldburger Thomas Anken Marianne Cockburn Achim Walter Matthias Hatt Camilo Chiang Hassan-Roland Nasser Automated irrigation of apple trees based on dendrometer sensors Agricultural Water Management |
| title | Automated irrigation of apple trees based on dendrometer sensors |
| title_full | Automated irrigation of apple trees based on dendrometer sensors |
| title_fullStr | Automated irrigation of apple trees based on dendrometer sensors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Automated irrigation of apple trees based on dendrometer sensors |
| title_short | Automated irrigation of apple trees based on dendrometer sensors |
| title_sort | automated irrigation of apple trees based on dendrometer sensors |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037837742500112X |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT thainnawaldburger automatedirrigationofappletreesbasedondendrometersensors AT thomasanken automatedirrigationofappletreesbasedondendrometersensors AT mariannecockburn automatedirrigationofappletreesbasedondendrometersensors AT achimwalter automatedirrigationofappletreesbasedondendrometersensors AT matthiashatt automatedirrigationofappletreesbasedondendrometersensors AT camilochiang automatedirrigationofappletreesbasedondendrometersensors AT hassanrolandnasser automatedirrigationofappletreesbasedondendrometersensors |