Summary

Various digital telemetry soil moisture monitoring devices are commercially available. These devices can deliver great management benefits in time-saving (digital instead of manual), productivity improvements (more yield and less water costs) and environmental outcomes (less water wastage). In citrus, some growers have purchased these devices but due to a lack of skills and reliable and independent support, growers do not properly understand the use and interpretation of the devices. Sometimes the advice from commercial systems is more sales driven rather than science driven. This results in devices not properly utilised (incorrect interpretation) or abandoned. Some growers do not adopt the technology because they are overwhelmed with options that they do not understand and there are no opportunities to gain skills in knowledge in the proper installation, use and interpretation of the devices. Current information or workshops only deal with the basics of irrigation scheduling, they do not address advanced digital telemetry skills. The project will raise grower’s personnel skills and knowledge of digital irrigation soil moisture monitoring technologies. The workshops will reduce the complexity of digital soil moisture telemetry
technologies and improve engagement with digital solutions and decision-making through practical and technical workshops for multiple systems devices.

Program

AgriFood Innovation

Research Organisation

Griffith & District Citrus Growers Incorporated