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Soil moisture sensors have been measuring water levels in Ngai Tukairangi Trust orchards at two depths via RICADO’s wireless remote monitoring network. Images supplied by PlantTec
Guidance from above for orchard management Satellites may soon help kiwifruit growers monitor how well vines in different parts of their orchards are hydrated and whether the plants experience water stress. By Elaine Fisher. A project to prove the efficacy of the concept is already underway in the Bay of Plenty and PlantTech Research Institute scientist Dr Istvan Hajdu of Tauranga says early results are promising. Researchers are accessing data from two satellites regularly orbiting over New Zealand which contain microwave technology that can sense the water content of plants from above. The project uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a form of microwave sensing, to provide spatial maps of kiwifruit canopy water status to help optimise irrigation strategies. The project is funded by Our Land and Water (Toitū te Whenua, Toiora te Wai), one of the National Science Challenges. PlantTech won funding for the project under the Rural Professionals Fund programme, with partner RICADO Remote Data Systems Group of Te Puke, working alongside Ngai Tukairangi Trust, one of the leading Māoriowned kiwifruit growers at Matapihi near Tauranga.
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The ORCHARDIST : MAY 2022
The Rural Professionals Fund tests innovative ideas that could lead to significant improvements in farming systems while preserving the most fundamental resources, land, water and associated ecosystems. It allows researchers, farmers and rural professionals to empower and build deeper relationships with Māori agribusiness. Istvan says two satellites began providing data from the Ngai Tukairangi Trust orchards in October last year. “These satellites have their own energy source and do not need sunlight to capture useful data making them operational 24/7. They are able to see through cloud cover, which means the images we receive are mostly independent of weather conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand. Indications are that the signal can also penetrate through hail nets, which is quite a benefit. “The satellites transmit down microwave signal pulses which interact with the canopy. Some portion of the signal
