Advanced Sensing and Management Technologies to Optimize Resource Use in Crops. I

Currently, the application of fertilizer and water in orchard crops follows largely standardized practices with limited consideration of temporal, climatic and crop variability. This approach constrains our ability to improve management, results in loss of potential income and causes negative environmental impact. We strive to address this issue by integrating 1) new approaches to determine crop demand with spatial and temporal accuracy, with 2) advanced methods of estimating current crop status and performance with 3) the development a new site specific orchard management platform. In this poster (#1 of 2), we discuss integrated approaches to define real time crop ‘demand' for water and nutrients with high spatial and temporal demand for water and nitrogen by deciduous perennial crops. In a partner poster we present advanced methods for crop ‘status' determination. A series of 8 research sites were established in 2008 throughout California, New Mexico and Texas in Almond, Pistachio and Pecan. Fertilizer rate trials and nutrient monitoring (all essential elements) in plant, soil, and crop are being used to construct nutrient budgets with a high degree of spatial and temporal specificity. Water demand is being estimated with a number of redundant models and with real time monitoring of plant, soil and atmospheric parameters. Yield prediction and nutrient and water demand models are under development through the integration of multi-year yield monitoring in a large number (>1,500) individual trees. Fertilizer rate trials and irrigation treatments have been established to develop response curves and interaction required for model refinement. Preliminary results will be presented on the following: Whole tree nutrient budgeting Temporal pattern of nutrient uptake annually Within tree nutrient partitioning Yield estimation modeling Comparative analysis of soil, plant and model based determination of water demand