Název projektu:
Cutting Edge Autonomous plant irrigation controller - enabling the plant to irrigate itself according to real consumption, saving water and preventing drainage and environmental contamination - EEN
Popis:
An Israeli SME has developed and manufactured a cutting-edge irrigation computer designed for autonomous irrigation enabling the plant to irrigate itself, when and how much needed (without human intervention). The irrigation computer is applicable to any vegetation, all soil types, and fit for all methods of irrigation. The computer is equipped with rechargeable batteries and a solar panel. The company seeks a partner for collaboration.
Požadavky na partnera:
An Israeli company has developed and manufactured a break-Through autonomous irrigation controller enabling the plant to irrigate itself when and how much needed, according to consumption, saving water and preventing drainage and environmental contamination.
Precision irrigation requires measurement of several different parameters in order to schedule the irrigation and determine the volume of water required in each application.
The measurements are complicated and cannot be carried out by an ordinary plant grower (farmer, home owner of a garden, etc.).
The demand for water by the plant is changing constantly (daily and seasonally), which makes it impossible to make correct irrigation decisions in real time. Consequently, in spite of the best guidelines that scientific research can offer to the plant grower today (or in the future), the irrigation in daily practice is basically an empirical endeavour, and approximate at best.
The perfect solution for precision irrigation is achieved by transferring the irrigation control to the plant itself. The company defined a control as autonomous irrigation concept, in opposition to automatic irrigation (by computers), by integrating technology (hardware, software) and method of application.
The product developed (Fig 1) was researched during six years and found to fulfil the expectations.
To achieve autonomous irrigation the company attached the tensiometer to an irrigation controller that is connected to a hydraulic valve. The controller "irrigates" itself, keeping a constant water tension threshold near the tensiometer, thereby causing intense root growth in the vicinity of the controller. The high root density near the controller dries the soil according to plant consumption and activates the irrigation valve at the pre-set threshold tension. The result is a plant-driven TTAI (Threshold Tension Autonomous Irrigation).
Frequency of irrigation by this system is a function of several parameters: plant consumption, soil water content, the threshold tension of irrigation, and the irrigation layout. The frequency is greater when the plant consumption is higher, the soil water content is lower, and the setting of the threshold tension irrigation is lower.
The controller compensates for errors in irrigation layout. When the irrigated area is restricted, (insufficient laterals and drippers, drippers positioned too far apart, etc.) the frequency of irrigation is increased to sustain plant consumption.
The controller is applicable for irrigation in all soil types and plants, and in every cultivation method (soils and soil-less culture).
Innovative Aspects:
1. The irrigation computer enables automation.
2. The need to adopt an irrigation plan is eliminated.
3. The plant irrigates itself autonomously.
4. The irrigation is precise, error-free.
5. The irrigation responds instantly to daily and hourly changes in water consumption.
6. A desired threshold tension in the range of 0 to -50 kPa is set and maintained accurately.
7. Allowing stress-free growth, or alternatively an accurate and measurable level of stress (if it is required for optimal plant cultivation).
8. Ability to regulate plant development (growth, yield, fruit quality) by precisely keeping a threshold of soil water content in part of the root system. 1. A single unit is sufficient for irrigation control.
2. Costly irrigation computers are not essential.
3. The response is in real time.
4. Irrigation depth to various levels can be controlled without drainage.
5. Detects changes in demand in real time by the water potential changes in parts of the root system.
6. Plant-driven (autonomous as well as automatic), error-free and precise irrigation.
7. Saving 50% of water by increased irrigation efficiency, and an additional 25% by doubling dry matter production at a precise moderate stress.
8. Preventing drainage, reducing groundwater contamination.
9. Cost-effective: a single unit controls the irrigation of any plot size (provided soil type and plant size are reasonably uniform) and irrigation depth.
10. Applicable to all plant species.
11. Applicable to all irrigation methods.
12. Applicable to all growth media (soil and soil-less culture).
Degree of development:
Patents/Rights: Patent(s) granted
Requested Cooperation: License Agreement, Absolutely novel process, Assembly, Engineering, Technical consultancy, Adaptation to specific needs, Joint Venture Agreement
- Type of partner sought:
Industry.
- Specific area of activity of the partner:
Manufacturer of irrigation systems, orand distributor of irrigation systems.
Precision irrigation requires measurement of several different parameters in order to schedule the irrigation and determine the volume of water required in each application.
The measurements are complicated and cannot be carried out by an ordinary plant grower (farmer, home owner of a garden, etc.).
The demand for water by the plant is changing constantly (daily and seasonally), which makes it impossible to make correct irrigation decisions in real time. Consequently, in spite of the best guidelines that scientific research can offer to the plant grower today (or in the future), the irrigation in daily practice is basically an empirical endeavour, and approximate at best.
The perfect solution for precision irrigation is achieved by transferring the irrigation control to the plant itself. The company defined a control as autonomous irrigation concept, in opposition to automatic irrigation (by computers), by integrating technology (hardware, software) and method of application.
The product developed (Fig 1) was researched during six years and found to fulfil the expectations.
To achieve autonomous irrigation the company attached the tensiometer to an irrigation controller that is connected to a hydraulic valve. The controller "irrigates" itself, keeping a constant water tension threshold near the tensiometer, thereby causing intense root growth in the vicinity of the controller. The high root density near the controller dries the soil according to plant consumption and activates the irrigation valve at the pre-set threshold tension. The result is a plant-driven TTAI (Threshold Tension Autonomous Irrigation).
Frequency of irrigation by this system is a function of several parameters: plant consumption, soil water content, the threshold tension of irrigation, and the irrigation layout. The frequency is greater when the plant consumption is higher, the soil water content is lower, and the setting of the threshold tension irrigation is lower.
The controller compensates for errors in irrigation layout. When the irrigated area is restricted, (insufficient laterals and drippers, drippers positioned too far apart, etc.) the frequency of irrigation is increased to sustain plant consumption.
The controller is applicable for irrigation in all soil types and plants, and in every cultivation method (soils and soil-less culture).
Innovative Aspects:
1. The irrigation computer enables automation.
2. The need to adopt an irrigation plan is eliminated.
3. The plant irrigates itself autonomously.
4. The irrigation is precise, error-free.
5. The irrigation responds instantly to daily and hourly changes in water consumption.
6. A desired threshold tension in the range of 0 to -50 kPa is set and maintained accurately.
7. Allowing stress-free growth, or alternatively an accurate and measurable level of stress (if it is required for optimal plant cultivation).
8. Ability to regulate plant development (growth, yield, fruit quality) by precisely keeping a threshold of soil water content in part of the root system. 1. A single unit is sufficient for irrigation control.
2. Costly irrigation computers are not essential.
3. The response is in real time.
4. Irrigation depth to various levels can be controlled without drainage.
5. Detects changes in demand in real time by the water potential changes in parts of the root system.
6. Plant-driven (autonomous as well as automatic), error-free and precise irrigation.
7. Saving 50% of water by increased irrigation efficiency, and an additional 25% by doubling dry matter production at a precise moderate stress.
8. Preventing drainage, reducing groundwater contamination.
9. Cost-effective: a single unit controls the irrigation of any plot size (provided soil type and plant size are reasonably uniform) and irrigation depth.
10. Applicable to all plant species.
11. Applicable to all irrigation methods.
12. Applicable to all growth media (soil and soil-less culture).
Degree of development:
Patents/Rights: Patent(s) granted
Requested Cooperation: License Agreement, Absolutely novel process, Assembly, Engineering, Technical consultancy, Adaptation to specific needs, Joint Venture Agreement
- Type of partner sought:
Industry.
- Specific area of activity of the partner:
Manufacturer of irrigation systems, orand distributor of irrigation systems.
Obchodní firma/fyzická osoba:
Technologické centrum s.r.o.
Sídlo/Místo podnikání:
Kontaktní osoba:
Ing. Lenka Kostelníková Phd.
Email:
Telefon:
+420 739 570 792
