Report Details Multiple Commercial Uses of Wireless Sensor Networks
Monday, February 24, 2014
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Cases studies show WSNs used for both monitoring, controlling irrigation in container nurseriesATHENS, GA--Managing the quality and quantity of
freshwater resources is one of the most serious environmental challenges
of the 21st century. Global population growth and increasing
urbanization have resulted in increased competition for water resources
among domestic, industrial, and agricultural users. Challenged to find
ways to manage irrigation needs while recognizing the limitations of
freshwater resources, many commercial horticulture operations are
showing increased interest in the use of wireless sensor networks
(WSN)--technology designed to both monitor and control irrigation
events. A review published in HortTechnology highlights the
recent advances in specific WSN technology and discusses implications
for its use in commercial horticulture settings.
"Previous
studies have demonstrated the utility of sensor-controlled irrigation,"
explained Matthew Chappell, lead author of the report. "The subsequent
step in facilitating adoption of this technology has been the on-farm
implementation of soil moisture-based irrigation hardware and software
developed as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty
Crops Research Initiative Project." Chappell and colleagues at the
University of Georgia's Department of Horticulture reported on the
implementation and use of these WSNs at three commercial nursery and
greenhouse operations in Georgia.
The report focused on the use
of capacitance-based soil moisture sensors to both monitor and control
irrigation events. "Since on-farm testing of these wireless sensor
networks (WSNs) to monitor and control irrigation scheduling began in
2010, WSNs have been deployed in a diverse assortment of commercial
horticulture operations," the authors said. They said that improved
software and hardware have resulted from the challenges and successes
experienced by growers, and grower confidence in WSNs has subsequently
improved.
"Growers are using WSNs in a variety of ways to fit
specific needs, resulting in multiple commercial applications," Chappell
noted. "Some growers use WSNs as fully functional irrigation
controllers. Other growers use components of WSNs, specifically the
web-based graphical user interface (GUI), to monitor grower-controlled
irrigation schedules."
"The case studies we documented exemplify
the advancements that can be made in product development, deployment,
and implementation when researchers work together with commercial
growers," said Chappell. He noted that the research project has resulted
in successful WSN implementation at three commercial nurseries in
Georgia, which now trust and rely on WSN data not only to monitor
substrate moisture but also to control irrigation. "Based on the
positive experiences and comments from our grower collaborators, other
growers have been eager to try WSNs in their operations."
The
researchers concluded that the main factor limiting wide-scale adoption
of is the lack of a commercially available WSN hardware and software
designed specifically for the ornamental plant industry.
# # #
The complete study and abstract are available on the ASHS HortTechnology electronic journal web site: http://horttech.ashspublications.org/content/23/6/747.abstract
Founded in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science
(ASHS) is the largest organization dedicated to advancing all facets of
horticultural research, education, and application. More information at ashs.org
This press release also available on EurekAlert! - view here
Original Article:
Implementation of Wireless Sensor Networks for Irrigation Control in Three Container Nurseries Matthew Chappell, Sue K. Dove, Marc W. van Iersel, Paul A. Thomas, and John Ruter HortTechnology 23:747-753. [Abstract]
Corresponding author. E-mail:
hortprod@uga.edu
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