January 2025 - 9

TECHNOLOGY
the solar-powered microinverters
and review energy use efficiencies
gained through irrigation
scheduling, including estimated
cost savings from less overall
and peak-time power usage.
The data would help influence
improving the prototype. Grower
feedback will be continuously
received, aiding a decision support
tool that factors field conditions,
crop type, irrigation pump size
and other information.
In the tomato tests, sensor-based
scheduling saved 30% on water use
versus the grower's typical irrigation
method. Calculations aren't complete
for the other crops, Dong said. In the
corn and soybean fields, LOCOMOS
improved yields and irrigation water
use efficiencies while not increasing
disease incidence.
Dong works with Ben Werling,
a Hart, Michigan, MSU Extension
vegetable educator who aids
commercial vegetable producers in
MSU Extension researchers are
developing equipment that can
improve water flow management
to more efficiently irrigate fruit
and vegetables.
precise irrigation recommendations
and delivers the advice to growers via
an easy-to-use smartphone app.
Despite water being free in
Michigan, it still costs growers to
pump it. Overwatering increases
leaching and nitrate movement.
" It's a great opportunity to use
our water more responsibly and
efficiently, " Dong said. " Less water
pumping provides energy savings
to the farmers. For the folks who
are growing tomatoes or any fruit
and veggies in sandy soil, it helps to
reduce the risk of leaching nitrates
and nutrients. Because you're putting
in more water, it means you're
probably going to over-irrigate, which
has the potential of leaching a tree. "
With data from more expensive
commercial-grade monitoring
systems difficult to interpret, easier
to use and understand simpler app
systems using low-cost sensors are
needed, and would be more accessible
to most growers, Dong said.
Additionally, the systems could
also help growers who may overirrigate,
which can increase plant
disease risk. The informed timings
could help reduce spraying costs for
fungicides and other sprays.
Solar powered
Researchers plan to collaborate
with utility companies connecting
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January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2025
