August 2022 - 11

Smart apple orchard takes
guesswork out of yield estimates
A project in Washington is making apple orchards smarter through
technology, giving growers more tools to make better decisions.
The project, started in 2020 by ag-tech startup innov8.ag, uses sensors
in orchards to glean data that allows growers and researchers to create
sustainable " smart " orchards, improving efficiencies.
The project started at Chiawana Orchards in Pasco, Washington, and in
2021, Washington Fruit & Produce Co.'s Grandview, Washington, orchard
added the technology. The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and
Washington State University are also participants in the program.
" What we have found is after two-plus years, we are really starting
to understand these patterns in terms of return bloom and return crop
effectiveness, " said Steve Mantle, innov8.ag's founder and CEO. " The project
has brought new tech providers that didn't exist a couple of years ago. "
As an example, Mantle points to micro-tensiometers, a new tool to monitor
apple tree irrigation and nutrient flow. Plant stress is also measured. Using
these sensors, the project quantified the latent effect of trees shutting down
and limiting crop growth during last summer's extreme heat.
High temperatures produced a holdover effect on the following season's
bloom, leading to a 40% drop in the Honeycrisp variety's return bloom. The
sustained heat dramatically affected bud formation. Knowing this opens the
door to conversations about the effectiveness of cooling and shade costs,
Mantle said.
Such knowledge can ease dependence on guesswork. The tech allowed
block yield estimates to hit a 5% accuracy, versus grower estimates that
were 10%-40% off, said Mantle.
" It's hard for growers to know from random samplings that they are truly
sampling that crop variability, " he said. " The work we're doing isn't samplebased,
but is based on variability across the entirety of the block. Then,
providing growers with map-based views, enabling them to take action. "
Sap nutrient analysis monitors plant nutrition, showing growers soil
and crop variability and helping them better understand where to take sap
nutrient tests throughout the season.
- Doug Ohlemeier
nutrients or incorrect pH balance can
be corrected. While row crops have long
received balanced applications, it would
become a welcome addition in blueberry
production, Mantle said.
" We are already seeing examples of
where growers
can address pH
balance in certain
sections of the
orchard where it
is impacting crop
load, " Mantle
said. While
growers may end
up using similar
lime volumes,
for example,
the balanced
applications
should ultimately
produce better
crops, he said.
To quantify
" Whether it's soil testing or pollination,
this smart field can be a great place
for companies to want to work with
this project and test the concept in the
industry, " said Cronquist.
Orchard insights
Shirley Mason, Applegate's owner,
sees the research as valuable. She is
particularly interested in soil mapping.
" The technology is improving all the
time, " Mason said. " They're finding new
ways to evaluate fruit. I'm waiting for the
specifics to come back and see how it can
be applied to my farm. "
Cronquist points to other industries,
including almonds, where technology
startups invest a lot of money. BerrySmart
will serve as a magnet to attract tech
investment in blueberries, he said.
" This is a great way of having boots on
An app is part of
BerrySmart, an
orchard project which
is attracting high-tech
investments in the
blueberry patch.
pollination
rates and more
efficiently
deploy beehives,
growers requested mapping of pollination
effectiveness. Soil moisture and its effect
on crop loads are also being quantified.
Soil moisture sensors coupled with
automated irrigation systems would help
water optimization.
Predicting harvest periods, yield
expectations and yield management
would aid the blueberry industry.
BerrySmart is viewed as a continuously
adjustable feedback loop designed for
growers' operational needs. The first
data from the project is expected to be
available this fall. Two to three years
will be required to accurately display
orchard patterns.
the ground and a practical application of
technology for our industry, " Cronquist
said. " The more data we can collect, the
better we can be at understanding the
information and where this project will
be of great use to the industry. We can be
much more calculated as an industry and
know when fruit is coming in. "
To ensure national data aggregation,
the USHBC/NABC plans to expand
the test farms to the other seven major
U.S. blueberry growing states: Florida,
Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey,
Michigan, California and Oregon.
The smart farm is proving workable
and future technologies.
" There are a number of different things
we as an industry have yet to discover, "
Mantle said. " The foundation is mapping
what that crop load is and the variability
within a block. This has the potential
to inform future decisions across the
industry. " FGN
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August 2022

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