New technology maps soil moisture tree by tree for better irrigation
Farmers around the world are facing serious water challenges as droughts and water shortages increase. Efficient water use has become essential for protecting crops and keeping farms profitable. New precision agriculture technology is offering farmers a better way to manage irrigation and reduce water waste.
Researchers have developed an advanced system that can measure soil moisture for every tree in an orchard. Instead of relying on a few expensive soil sensors placed in the ground, the new approach uses a robot that travels through the field to collect soil data. This allows farmers to see how water levels change across the entire orchard.
"The information those sensors provide is very limited," said Elia Scudiero, associate professor of precision agriculture and the Director of UCR's Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (CAFE). "It really only tells you what's happening in the immediate areas where they're placed."
Soil moisture often varies because of differences in soil texture. Some soils hold water tightly, while others allow it to drain quickly. Even when farmers apply the same amount of water, nearby trees may receive very different moisture levels. Traditional sensors cannot capture this variation effectively.
The robotic system measures electrical conductivity, a soil property influenced by moisture, salt, and clay content. This information is combined with readings from existing soil sensors to create accurate maps showing where water is available and where it is lacking. Farmers can then irrigate only where and when water is needed.
Proper moisture levels help keep trees healthy. Too little water stresses plants, while too much water can damage roots by limiting oxygen. Better irrigation decisions also help reduce nutrient loss and protect groundwater from pollution.
As water costs rise and groundwater regulations tighten, precision tools like this offer farmers a practical solution. By using less water more efficiently, growers can maintain orchards instead of retiring from them.
This technology represents the future of smart farming, where robotics, sensors, and data science work together to produce more crops using fewer resources.
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