Articles
Precision fertigation management for vegetable crops and seedlings with NutriSense DSS
Article number
1453_2
Pages
9 – 16
Language
English
Abstract
NutriSense is a decision support system (DSS) designed to optimise nutrient management in vegetable crops and seedlings grown in both soil and soilless culture systems.
This innovative tool can assist growers in precisely managing fertigation to meet crop requirements and minimise the nutrient losses.
The DSS uses validated algorithms and models to adapt the nutrient supply to the plant species, the developmental stage, the climatic conditions and cropping system aiming to maintain optimal nutrient concentrations in the root environment.
Two primary modules are offered through the DSS: the SOILLESS NutriSense and the SOIL NutriSense for soilless and soil-grow crops, respectively.
In particular, the SOIL NutriSense version calculates optimal fertigation based on soil and irrigation water analysis data, ensuring nutrient availability while mitigating nutrient losses due to leaching and avoiding over-fertilisation.
Fertiliser recommendations can be updated throughout the growing cycle when new soil analyses become available, ensuring that fertilizer applications align with crop needs.
The version for soilless crops is used for nutrient solution (NS) composition management, considering the water’s mineral composition and the characteristics of the growing system.
An important feature of the DSS is its support for nutrient management in closed-loop soilless culture systems where the drainage solution (DS) is recycled.
The DSS can adjust the net nutrient input into the system according to the composition of the DS after chemical analysis.
Furthermore, special algorithms and models are used to tackle one of the main obstacles in closed-loop system implementation, sodium accumulation, which imposes salinity stress due to increasing electrical conductivity (EC). Another advanced feature integrates ion-selective electrodes (ISE) to monitor nutrient concentrations in the DS on daily basis, enabling automated, precise modifications to the supplied NS to improve nutrient management.
Furthermore, the DSS includes special recommendations for the wild leafy greens and seedlings to effectively achieve the desired morphological and physiological plant characteristics.
During this stage, fertigation management plays an important role as it can be used to apply controlled eustress via the NS EC levels.
Overall, as an innovative fertigation management tool, NutriSense DSS represents a significant advancement in precision agriculture, offering a comprehensive solution for efficient and environmentally friendly nutrient management in soil and soilless vegetable production.
This innovative tool can assist growers in precisely managing fertigation to meet crop requirements and minimise the nutrient losses.
The DSS uses validated algorithms and models to adapt the nutrient supply to the plant species, the developmental stage, the climatic conditions and cropping system aiming to maintain optimal nutrient concentrations in the root environment.
Two primary modules are offered through the DSS: the SOILLESS NutriSense and the SOIL NutriSense for soilless and soil-grow crops, respectively.
In particular, the SOIL NutriSense version calculates optimal fertigation based on soil and irrigation water analysis data, ensuring nutrient availability while mitigating nutrient losses due to leaching and avoiding over-fertilisation.
Fertiliser recommendations can be updated throughout the growing cycle when new soil analyses become available, ensuring that fertilizer applications align with crop needs.
The version for soilless crops is used for nutrient solution (NS) composition management, considering the water’s mineral composition and the characteristics of the growing system.
An important feature of the DSS is its support for nutrient management in closed-loop soilless culture systems where the drainage solution (DS) is recycled.
The DSS can adjust the net nutrient input into the system according to the composition of the DS after chemical analysis.
Furthermore, special algorithms and models are used to tackle one of the main obstacles in closed-loop system implementation, sodium accumulation, which imposes salinity stress due to increasing electrical conductivity (EC). Another advanced feature integrates ion-selective electrodes (ISE) to monitor nutrient concentrations in the DS on daily basis, enabling automated, precise modifications to the supplied NS to improve nutrient management.
Furthermore, the DSS includes special recommendations for the wild leafy greens and seedlings to effectively achieve the desired morphological and physiological plant characteristics.
During this stage, fertigation management plays an important role as it can be used to apply controlled eustress via the NS EC levels.
Overall, as an innovative fertigation management tool, NutriSense DSS represents a significant advancement in precision agriculture, offering a comprehensive solution for efficient and environmentally friendly nutrient management in soil and soilless vegetable production.
Authors
T. Ntanasi, E. Giannothanasis, I. Karavidas, G.P. Spyrou, D. Savvas, G. Ntatsi
Keywords
hydroponics, soilless culture, greenhouse, nitrate pollution, nutrient model
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