Successful Alpha Tests

18 Pages·2015·1.61 MB·English

by  Anat Halgoa Solomon

Advanced Sensor for Optimal Irrigation
Anat Solomon Halgoa, CEO
WORLD AGRI-TECH - INVESTMENT SUMMIT
San Francisco
March 2015
1
Precise irrigation: increases crop quality + quantity
Limited tools: most farmers worldwide irrigate without
any controls
2
Precise irrigation: controls the precious resource of
water for optimal yield
“You can’t control what you can’t measure”
3
Current Solutions
Climate-based
• Basic water needs only, based on
empirical data
Soil-based
• High variability, limited accuracy
Plant-based
• Indirect indicators, difficult
interpretation, high variability,
expensive
-1000 bar
Water Moves
Upward in Tree
-10 bar
Stem Water Potential
-0.1 bar
5
The Saturas Solution
• Sensor embedded in tree stem
• Stem = best location due to integration
• Direct contact with water tissues
• Direct water status measurement
• Continuous + accurate data
• Cost effective: 1- 2 sensors/ hectare
• Low maintenance
• Solar communication system
6
About Stem Water Potential (SWP)
• Scientifically recognized for water status
• Over 20 years of applicable knowhow
• Existing protocols for palms, almonds, walnut, apple,
citrus, and more
Dried Palms Almonds
SWP (bar) SWP (bar)
Well-watered -6 to -8 -6 to -9
Moderate stressed -15 -14 to -18
Extreme stressed -25< -25 to -30
UC Davis Extension Recommendations
7
Saturas Benefits the Farmer
• Increases fruit yields, quality = higher income
• Minimizes risks, losses
• Saves 10% - 20% water
• Reduces water costs
• Enables more planted area within water allotments
• Avoids overwatering
• Produces healthier trees
• Lowers groundwater contamination
Based on 5% increase in yield, ROI < 1 year
8
Large Market Potential
Total potential (based on irrigated area) > $1
billion/year
• Broad range of crops: vines, citrus, deciduous
fruit, nuts, irrigated olives, bananas, cotton
• Developing market: Global needs require
efficiency
Feedback from farmers: Current solutions
insufficient; anxious to test Saturas sensor
9
What Have We Achieved?
 POC in laboratory tests
+ tree stems
 Penetration protocol
into tree stems
 Successful alpha tests
in trees
10