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YARA INTRODUCES WATER SOLUTION BUSINESS UNIT
Jul. 8, 2016
Source: Yara news release
Yara has introduced its Yara Water Solution in the U.S., with installations in citrus groves in California and Florida.
With water supplies and access growing scarcer in these U.S. states, agricultural solutions are needed for making the best use of water. Yara Water Solution is being validated on citrus crops in these two states to ensure previous sensor calibration is accurate for these markets. This technology has successfully been used in Spain, and is applicable to all leafy plant species. They are expected to be available for more widespread North American distribution in the next 12-18 months.
The Yara Water Solution is a plant-based sensor allowing direct communication with the plant during the entire vegetative period. It provides direct information about the water status of plants using non-invasive leaf clamps (sensors) that are wired to sending units in trees. The sensitive clamps measure the turgor pressure (pressure from water within the leaf) to determine when and where water is needed. Water use - and cost - can be cut by up to 40% due to irrigation being applied more precisely based on the crops' moisture status.
"The first thing people say when hearing about a technology such as this is, 'I can save water,'" explains Toby Goodroad, YaraVita Product Director for Yara North America. "That is not the whole story. We can also save pumping and environmental costs, while at the same time using the water more efficiently, increasing yield and quality."
Some of the features and benefits of the Yara Water Solution include easy setting of irrigation thresholds, preventing over irrigation which can lead to plant diseases, and also reducing fertilizer and pesticide use since applications can be aligned to meet water demands of the plant.
"This technology is unique to Yara and its launch will further differentiate us in the North American market not only as fertilizer suppliers but as crop nutrition experts who can help deliver to farmers solutions for environmental issues such as reduced water supply," explains Geraldo Mattioli, Yara North America Vice President, Premium Offerings.
"This sensor is one of the many Yara Precision Farming tools which will be implemented in North America," added Goodroad. "A variety of applications and sensing technology are slated for implementation and we're confident they will benefit growers in North America."
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