Implementation of Sensor-based Automated Irrigation in Commercial Floriculture Production: A Case Study

Abstract

<jats:p>A soil moisture sensor-based automated irrigation system was trialed in a commercial floriculture greenhouse to determine what benefits these types of systems may offer to herbaceous ornamental producers. Water use, crop quality and growth, and grower behavior toward adoption of the new technology were monitored, when all decision making related to system operation was carried out by the grower. Two cultivars of poinsettia (<jats:italic>Euphorbia</jats:italic> ×<jats:italic>pulcherrima</jats:italic>) and three cultivars of geranium (<jats:italic>Pelargonium</jats:italic> ×<jats:italic>hortorum</jats:italic>) were produced in side-by-side trials over the course of 2 years while comparing grower-controlled, sensor-based automated irrigation with traditional grower-managed (timer-based) irrigation. Plant quality was equivalent between irrigation treatments across all five trials. Differences in plant size were noted in four of the five trials between irrigation treatments, but in all instances these differences were not judged by the commercial grower to impact marketability of the crop. No reductions in irrigation water use were noted with the sensor-based irrigation system, which differed from previous research using this technology in ornamental production. Over the course of 2 years, the number of plants produced using sensor-based irrigation control was scaled up, indicating increasing confidence in, and adoption of, the technology. Managers at the facility found that sensor-based irrigation facilitated reallocation of labor from irrigation management, which was especially valuable during peak production and shipping periods. The payback period calculated from labor savings would be roughly 1.5 years if the sensor-based irrigation system was implemented throughout the facility.</jats:p>

Sensor Based Irrigation Management in Crop Production: A Review

“…Water applied in Sensor LM 35 automated irrigation-based system was lower than conventional system and plant yield was higher in automated irrigation system as compared to conventional system [16]. VegApp and SMS-based irrigation regimes applied 15% and 29% less water, respectively, than the WB method in watermelon [17,18].…”

Sensing and Automation Technologies for Ornamental Nursery Crop Production: Current Status and Future Prospects

“…The study reported a water use reduction of approximately 50% when compared to grower-controlled irrigation. The same sensor system was trialed previously by Wheeler et al [ 5 ] in a floriculture greenhouse.…”

“…Greenhouses are typically enclosed environments where growth conditions (e.g., lighting, temperature, humidity, and irrigation) can be controlled [ 4 ]. Rapidly increasing production cost due to the increased labor expense, difficulty in obtaining skilled labor, and inappropriate application of agricultural resources are rising concerns for the ornamental industry [ 5 , 6 ]. Operations such as planting, growing, and harvesting nursery crops are heavily dependent on labor.…”

“…Various sensors, such as soil moisture, temperature and humidity sensors, cameras (color, spectral, and infrared), together with computer algorithms are used to develop smart technologies for agricultural applications [ 5 , 18 , 21 , 26 ]. A prototype irrigation controller system was developed using nine soil moisture sensors on an IoT platform to automatically manage water application in crops [ 26 ].…”

Exploring market choices in the US ornamental horticulture industry

“…This could be attributed to the fact that plants sold to big-box stores and multiple location garden centers (such as bedding plants and flowering potted plants) demand more labor input, particularly from low-skilled temporary workers. As suggested by Wheeler et al (2018), automation and mechanization were potential means for horticultural producers to overcome labor challenges and increase profitability with tightening labor supply throughout the United States.…”