Source: UNIV OF MARYLAND submitted to
PRECISION IRRIGATION AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT FOR NURSERY, GREENHOUSE AND GREEN ROOF SYSTEMS: WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS FOR FEEDBACK AND FEEDFORWARD CONTROL
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
NEW
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0219581
Grant No.
2009-51181-05768
Project No.
MD-PSLA-0805
Proposal No.
2009-02561
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
SCRI
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2009
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2014
Grant Year
2009
Project Director
Lea-Cox, J. D.
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MARYLAND
(N/A)
COLLEGE PARK,MD 20742
Performing Department
Plant Science & Landscape Architecture
Non Technical Summary
The overarching objective of this proposal is to make better use of increasingly scarce fresh water resources for specialty crops which are usually irrigated. This project aims to solve and deliver the science that industry leaders and representatives have identified as vital to the sustainability of specialty crop production systems and our natural resources at the local level. We intend to build upon our systems-based, transdisciplinary approach that spans more than three years of prior work in implementing wireless sensor networks in field (orchard-type) environments, in `open' (i.e. open to the environment) nursery container-production and green roof systems, and `closed' greenhouse environments which are more environmentally controlled. We will advance our knowledge of plant and soil science at both the micro- and macro-scale, to provide a means to automatically assess and schedule precision irrigation using wireless hardware and software technology. The result will be a commercially available product for irrigation water management that is specifically designed for diverse and intensive production environments, but that has broad applications for all high-value specialty crops, including ornamental, fruit and vegetable production. Precision irrigation and production management will benefit greenhouse and nursery producers, while a better understanding of the water dynamics of green roofs will benefit green roof managers. In addition to these private benefits, limited to individual growers or companies, there also are public benefits: reductions in water use and runoff from these facilities will result in environmental benefits for the public at large. In addition, reductions in energy use will result in both private and public benefits. We will work with specialty crop growers to capture needs-based issues during development. The integration of commercial partners into this project is critical for its success: it assures that the software and hardware that will be developed meets the needs of the industry, rather than our perception of those needs. In addition to our direct involvement with our commercial partners, we shall provide educational outreach on the economics and viability of sensor networks to producers throughout the United States, by (1) developing appropriate new learning modules in our existing online knowledge center (http://www.waternut.org/moodle) for the nursery and greenhouse industries, and (2) use sensor networks as a pedagogical tool for undergraduate problem-based learning at the undergraduate level (see later example). In addition, we shall further develop the project website (http://www.sensornet.umd.edu) and offer traditional outreach efforts through field days, trade magazine articles and trade show talks. All research will be fully documented through peer-reviewed papers, published dissertations and theses.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2050210106025%
4027210202025%
6052110301020%
9032122302020%
1332410310010%
Knowledge Area
133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation; 903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery; 205 - Plant Management Systems; 605 - Natural Resource and Environmental Economics; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
0210 - Water resources; 7210 - Remote sensing equipment and technology; 2122 - Potted plants; 2110 - Ornamental trees and shrubs; 2410 - Cross-commodity research--multiple crops;

Field Of Science
3100 - Management; 1060 - Biology (whole systems); 2020 - Engineering; 3020 - Education; 3010 - Economics;
Goals / Objectives
As a Coordinated Agricultural Specialty Crops Research Initiative Project, we intend to deliver a wireless sensor network capable of supporting the intensive production system requirements of field nurseries, container nurseries, greenhouse operations and green roof systems. The overall goals of this project are (1) to provide an integrative and mechanistic understanding of plant water requirements, spanning from micro-scale (e.g. plant level) to macro-scale (e.g. whole production site) irrigation and nutrient management and (2) to quantify private and public economic benefits of this technology. We aim to integrate across scales of production by using small and large commercial test sites that allow us to take a systems approach to identify the micro- to macro-scale answers underlying nursery, greenhouse, and green roof irrigation management. An economic, environmental and social analysis will identify cost and benefits to the industry and society as well as barriers to adoption of this new technology. The project allows us to engage the industry collaborators on a day-to-day basis to ensure product satisfaction of the next generation of hardware and software developed by our commercial partners. The short and long-term goals of this project are to: 1) Develop and commercialize wireless sensor networks and advanced customizable software that meet the monitoring and control requirements at the species level for field (soil-based), container- (soilless) production and green roof systems; 2) Determine the performance and utility of moisture sensors for precision irrigation and nutrient management in soil and soilless substrates; integrate other sensors into networks (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation etc.) for modeling evapotranspirative water use and monitoring water inputs (e.g. tipping rain gauges for rain and irrigation). 3) Determine spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture and soil electrical conductivity to minimize the numbers of sensors required in diverse root environments at various scales; 4) Provide micro-scale (root environment) data and integrate it with macro-scale (atmospheric environment) models to predict (i.e. forecast) plant water use; 5) Develop best management practices for the use of sensors for irrigation and nutrient management, working with specialty crop partners to capture needs-based issues during on-farm system development; 6) Quantify improvements in water and nutrient management, nutrient runoff, plant quality, and yield; 7) Evaluate the private and public economic and environmental impacts of precision sensor-controlled practices; identify barriers to adoption and implementation of these practices; 8) Engage growers and the industry on the operation, benefits and current limitations of this sensor / modeling approach to irrigation management; 9)Provide educational outreach on the economics and viability of sensor networks by developing new learning modules in our online Knowledge Center and to train undergraduate students in science and engineering.
Project Methods
Our transdisciplinary team consists of seven teams, from five universities and two commercial companies. These working groups' activities will be integrated through intensive interaction at the commercial production and research test sites. Each test site will be instrumented with a sensor network(s) to provide real-time environmental data for scientific and technological discovery. Data streams will be monitored on a day-to-day basis by team members, which will drive continuous interaction between scientists, engineers and growers. The role of the technology development team is to develop, deploy and maintain the next generation of wireless sensor networks which fulfill the needs and expectations of nursery and greenhouse operations and green roof systems. Another major focus of the technology team is the development of advanced monitoring and control software which will provide advanced data filtering and analysis components. This software will refine incoming data and provide an easy-to-use graphic user interface (GUI) for the end-user to visualize the real-time data and allow for daily management decisions. In addition, we will develop crop-specific software (plug-in modules) for predictive (feed-forward) management of water use, based upon plant and environmental models developed by the science team. These modules will interface with the GUI and the underlying database via an open application programming interface that provides access to all GUI monitoring and control functions. The roles of the science-based teams (micro- and macro-scale) are to ensure that the precision and accuracy of the data gathered, and the hence the quality of the conclusions reached, are of the highest possible quality and reliability. The micro-scale effort will address three primary objectives, across disciplines: (a) characterize spatial and temporal variability, to place sensors for maximum precision and economic benefit; (b) sensor performance and placement, to match the right sensor with the right application; (c) monitoring and control capability, which will integrate the knowledge from (a) and (b) to ensure precision control of irrigation water applications, to satisfy plant water requirements in real-time. The macro-scale effort will address three additional objectives: (d) model and calculate species specific whole tree transpiration in three dimensions to scale up to large production sites; (e) optimize the environmental sensing capability to match model data requirements across scales of production (f) develop and demonstrate an integrated sensing and modeling approach for precision irrigation management for large production scales. The economic and environmental analysis team members will gather specific economic, resource use and environmental data from each production site through a series of on-farm visits and assessments. We will disseminate knowledge through peer-reviewed, trade journal articles and traditional extension presentations. Additional industry and public outreach will include enhancement of on-line learning modules, a dedicated website with podcasts and frequent research updates from the production sites.

Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: The primary target audiences we reached in this reporting period included commercial field, container-nursery and greenhouse owners, growers and irrigation managers. Additionally we reached other specialty crop growers and industry leaders, industry scientists, consultants and extension educators, undergraduate and graduate students, and government policy-makers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Eight Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs): Six PhD (Alem Peter, Mandy Bayer, Olyssa Starry, Whitney Gaches, David Barnard and Monica Saavedra) and two MS students (Clark de Long and Alex Litvin) Three Postdoctoral Research Fellowships: Dr. Jongyun Kim, Dr. John Majsztrik, Dr. Olyssa Starry Two visiting scientists: Dr. Kang Jong Goo and Dr. Rhuanito Soranz Ferrarezi Six Undergraduate Research Internships: James Zazanis, Zach Beichler, Ian Reichardt, Roy Crihfield, Liam Monahan, Rachel Kierzewski and Steve Crisafulli How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Invited Presentations Chappell, M. 2012. Irrigation sensor networks: from the source to the plant. UGA Rainwater Harvesting Symposium. Athens, GA. Chappell, M. 2012. Irrigation: Fundamentals and Cost of Irrigation Efficiency and Uniformity. Tennessee Master Nursery Program. McMinnville, TN. Chappell, M., G.F. Kantor and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Decision Irrigation: How it Benefits Your Crop Health, Crop Quality and Your Wallet. Chesapeake Green Conference. 15 Feb, 2013. Baltimore, MD. Lea-Cox, J. D. 2012. Some Observations on Interdisciplinary Project Planning and Management. In: Collaborative Research Projects Highlight the Economic Benefits of Agricultural Research. Webinar organized by the Tri-Societies (ASA/CSSA/SSSA) and Council on Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics (C-FARE) for USDA-NIFA Program Leaders. 15 Oct, 2012. Lea-Cox, J. D., O. Starry, A. G. Ristvey and S. Cohan. 2012. Progress in Developing a Mechanistic Water Balance Model to Predict Green Roof Performance and Efficiency. In: Quantification of Green Roof’s Contributions to Building and Community Performance. NASA-ESA International Workshop on Environment and Alternative Energy. 4 – 7 Dec, 2012. NASA-Goddard, Greenbelt MD. Lea-Cox, J.D., S. Burnett and M. van Iersel. 2013. Irrigation Automation Session 2. Ohio Florist Association Short Course. Columbus, OH. 15 July, 2013. van Iersel, M., S. Burnett and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Irrigation Automation Session 1. Ohio Florist Association Short Course. Columbus, OH. 15 July, 2013 van Iersel, M.W. 2012. The plant propagation industry in the United States. International seminar on “Propagation Technologies and Certification of Nursery Plants”. Rancagua, Chile. van Iersel, M.W. 2012. Efficient water use during plant propagation. International seminar on “Propagation Technologies and Certification of Nursery Plants”. Rancagua, Chile. van Iersel, M.W. 2012. Automating irrigation: the evolution of an intelligent design. Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia. Athens, GA. van Iersel, M. and M. Chappell. 2013. Sensor controlled irrigation: A case study with gardenia. WinterGreen 2013. CANR open house. Duluth, GA. Thomas, P.A. 2013. Wireless Sensor Networks For Automated Irrigation Control in Container Nurseries. Georgia Farm Bureau Convention. Jeckyll Island, GA. December, 2013. Other Presentations Bauerle, T.L., M. Centinari and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Incorporating precision irrigation into water management strategies for nurseries. Long Island Agricultural Forum, Riverhead, NY. Lichtenberg, E. 2013. Optimal investment in precision irrigation systems: a dynamic intraseasonal approach. Selected paper presented at the annual meeting of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. Washington, DC. August 4-6, 2013. Webinars Alem, P.O. 2013. Control of Poinsettia Stem Elongation: Height Limits using Deficit Irrigation. American Society for Horticultural Science 2013 Annual Conference. ASHS HortTalks http://ashs.org/db/horttalks/detail.lasso?id=14634 Bauerle, W.L., A. Daniels and D. Barnard. 2013. Carbon and Water Flux Responses to Physiology by Environment Interactions: A Sensitivity Analysis of Climate Impacts on Biophysical Model Parameters. American Society for Horticultural Science 2013 Annual Conference: Water Management and Utilization ASHS HortTalks http://ashs.org/db/horttalks/detail.lasso?id=14435 Bayer, A. 2013. Using Different Teaching Methods to Enhance Student Learning of Climate Change. American Society for Horticultural Science 2013 Annual Conference. ASHS HortTalks http://ashs.org/db/horttalks/detail.lasso?id=15582 Chappell, M. 2012. Exciting New Irrigation Research (in Horticulture). UGA Center for Urban Agriculture Webinar Series. Griffin, GA. http://vimeo.com/63678588 Ferrarezi, R.S., M.D. Ribeiro, M.W van Iersel, and R. Testezlaf. 2013. Subirrigation Controlled by Capacitance Sensors for Citrus Rootstock Production American Society for Horticultural Science 2013 Annual Conference: Water Management and Utilization ASHS HortTalks http://ashs.org/db/horttalks/detail.lasso?id=14823 Kim, J., B.E. Belayneh and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Implementing Substrate Moisture Set-point Irrigation Control in Cut-flower Greenhouse Production. American Society for Horticultural Science 2013 Annual Conference: Water Management and Utilization ASHS HortTalks http://ashs.org/db/horttalks/detail.lasso?id=14746 Kim, J. and O. Starry. 2013. Beyond Saving Water: Using Moisture Sensors in Horticulture Research. Decagon Virtual Seminar Series. http://tinyurl.com/m6fuh28 Lea-Cox, J.D. 2013. Using Sensor Networks to Monitor and Control Irrigation Events in Nursery and Greenhouse Operations. Decagon Virtual Seminar Series. http://tinyurl.com/mnnsaxq Lea-Cox, J. D. 2013. Accessing Real-time Data from Sensor Networks. American Society for Horticultural Science 2013 Annual Conference: Teaching with Tablets Workshop ASHS HortTalks http://ashs.org/db/horttalks/detail.lasso?id=15068 Lea-Cox, J. D. 2013. Sensors and Controllers: A Discussion. American Society for Horticultural Science 2013 Annual Conference: Water Management and Utilization ASHS HortTalks http://ashs.org/db/horttalks/detail.lasso?id=14627 Majsztrik, J., E. Lichtenberg, and M. Saavoss. 2013. Costs and benefits of sensor networks for greenhouse cut flower production. American Society for Horticultural Science 2013 Annual Conference: Water Management and Utilization ASHS HortTalks http://ashs.org/db/horttalks/detail.lasso?id=14706 Starry, O., J.D. Lea-Cox, J. Kim, S. Dove and M.W. van Iersel. 2013 Effects of Water Availability and Temperature on CAM Expression and Water Use Efficiency by Sedum album and Sedum kamtschaticum. American Society for Horticultural Science 2013 Annual Conference. ASHS HortTalks http://ashs.org/db/horttalks/detail.lasso?id=14696 Starry, O., A.G. Ristvey, S. Cohan and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Estimation of Green Roof Stormwater Efficiency using Sensor-informed Models. American Society for Horticultural Science 2013 Annual Conference. ASHS HortTalks http://ashs.org/db/horttalks/detail.lasso?id=14699 van Iersel, M.W. 2013. Using soil moisture sensors for irrigation control: reducing nursery water use and increasing profits. Decagon virtual seminar series. http://tinyurl.com/l9rhghp Trade Publications Majsztrik, J.C., S.A. White, J.S. Owen and J.D. Lea-Cox.2013. The State of Water in the Green Industry Part I: Water ResourceAvailability.Nursery Management. June. 29(6): 28,30-32. Majsztrik, J.C., J.S. Owen, S.A. White andJ.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. The state of water in the green industry Part II: Water Use Efficiency. Nursery Management. July. 29(7): 24, 26,28. White, S.A., J.S. Owen, J.C. Majsztrik and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. The state of water in the green industry Part III: Water Quality. Nursery Management. August. 29(8): 20-21,23-25. Majsztrik, J.C., S.A. White, J.S. Owen and J.D. Lea-Cox.2013. Water Smarts.The State of Water I. Greenhouse Management. August. 33(8): 24-26. Majsztrik,J.C., J.S. Owen,S.A. White and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013.Efficient Irrigation: The State of Water II. Greenhouse Management. September.33(9): 22-25. White, S.A., J.S. Owen, J.C. Majsztrik and J.D.Lea-Cox. 2013. Water Quality: Salts, Pests, and Pesticides - The State ofWater Part III. Greenhouse Management. October. 33(10): 40,42-46. Kuack, D. 2013. Making sense of greenhouse irrigation. Greenhouse Product News 22(June) 22-29. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We are on track to accomplish or exceed all engineering and research objectives by the end of Year five. The major work that remains is the completion of the learning modules, as outlined in Year three for the Knowledge Center. Commercialization of the control node technology will be implemented during the last half of year five. Commercial control software (based on the Sensorweb control software) is being concurrently developed by Decagon, to be released simultaneously with the control sensor node in mid-2014.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? More than 56.6 million acres of land were irrigated in the United States in 2007, of which 56% was irrigated by sprinkler and microirrigation systems. We are developing advanced sensor technology to precisely monitor plant water use, thereby affording better control of irrigation water applications and increasing the efficiency of water and nutrient use in nursery and greenhouse operations. By using cost-effective networks of soil and environmental sensors, we are providing growers with real-time remote information about soil moisture and plant water use on their computers and smart phones. Through collaborations between plant scientists, engineers, and economists at five universities and two commercial companies, we have developed new sensor technology and software to automatically control irrigation based on plants’ needs and tested that with commercial nursery and greenhouse partners in MD, GA, TN and OH. Close cooperation among researchers and commercial growers takes advantage of everyone’s expertise, to ensure rapid progress towards implementation of our science and engineering advances directly into practice on the farms. We have already reduced average water applications in all these operations by more than 50%, by making more informed irrigation scheduling decisions. Improving water management not only reduces nutrient leaching but also improves plant quality and reduces losses from plant diseases. Specific Goals addressed in 2013: An extensive discussion of all these accomplishments for each objective can be found in the Year 4 project report at http://www.smart-farms.net/impacts Objective 1: Hardware and Software Development – Engineering and Commercialization. During year 4, the engineering teams at Carnegie Mellon University and Decagon Devices, Inc. developed a commercialization and support plan for the advanced irrigation nodes and continued developing the system to improve scalability and add new features. Major engineering accomplishments were: Developed commercialization plan for this new system Developed support and training model for this new system Developed an irrigation controller interface to integrate nodes with existing irrigation controllers and improved the scalability of the system Control node can now control multiple solenoids connected in series Improved the utility and functionality of the Sensorweb software developed by the project Objective 2: Sensor Performance and Utility. This objective was the primary focus of research conducted during years 1,2 and 3. Optimzation of sensor performance and utility continues under research outlined under Objective 5 (below) Objective 3: Assessing Spatial and Temporal Variability to Minimize Sensors, Optimize Cost. This objective was the primary focus of research conducted during years 1, 2 and 3. However, the assessment of spatial and temporal variability continues under research outlined under Objective 5 and integrated into the economic analyses (Objective 7) Objective 4: Integrating Microscale and Macroscale Approaches through Modeling. In Year 4, the major effort under this objective was directed at optimization of the MAESTRA mode, where: Carbon and water flux responses to physiology by environment interactions were investigated with a sensitivity analysis of climate impacts on biophysical model parameters: The implications of minimum stomatal conductance on estimating water flux in containerized tree nurseries were documented A comparison of the potential for scaling up irrigation scheduling techniques: substrate moisture sensing versus predictive water use modeling was conducted Objective 5: Quantify Improvements in Resource Use-Efficiency , Plant Production and QualitGraduate research studieshave focused on water use, leaching, fertilizer rate and plant growth interactions of Petunia and Gardenia jasminoides; stem elongation and height control of Poinsettia with deficit irrigation. Seasonal environmental and water availability on the growth and performance of Sedum species in green roof systems were quantified. In addition, temporal oxygen concentration dynamics and hydraulic conductance were investigated in peat-based substrates. Commercial greenhouse and nursery studies focused on the comparative studies between nR5 (sensor-controlled) irrigation vs. grower-scheduled irrigations in MD, TN and GA. Economic outcomes are outlined in Objective 7. Objective 6: Develop Best Management Practices for Sensor Use in Production Environments. The university and on-farm studies outlined briefly in objectives 2- 5 are providing us information to develop best management practices for sensor use in field, container and greenhouse production environments. Objective 7: Evaluating Economic and Environmental impacts (both Private and Public) 1. Profitability Analysis of Wireless Sensor Networks: Gardenia production in Georgia. The use of sensors increased profit substantially, mainly due to reduction in the time from planting to sale. Reductions in disease mortality and disease treatment costs were also substantial sources of increased profitability. Tree production in Tennessee. The sensor network reduced both irrigation water application and irrigation management time by at least half. Even though water costs consist only of the cost of pumping water from a nearby river, investment in the wireless sensor network yielded a high rate of return. Sensitivity analysis indicated that sensor networks would be even more profitable in areas where water is scarce and costly (e.g., California) Snapdragon production in Maryland. Wireless sensor networks accelerated production time and increased yields. One additional crop was harvested annually, while yields increased from 5% to 80%, depending on cultivar, resulting in a high rate of return on investment. 2. Adoption Prospects of Wireless Sensor Networks Grower perceptions of wireless sensor technology. Growers were surveyed to assess current receptivity of this technology. The majority of respondents agreed that wireless sensor systems would provide a number of benefits including; increased irrigation efficiency, reduced product loss, reduced irrigation management costs, reduce disease prevalence, and reduce monitoring costs. System cost and reliability were major concerns. Grower willingness to pay for wireless sensor technology. In a national irrigation survey, growers were asked about their willingness to purchase (a) a starter sensor network and (b) additional nodes, to assess initial adoption, potential speed of diffusion, and likely ceiling adoption of wireless sensor networks. Close to 20% of growers would purchase a base system at the expected initial market price, while roughly 30% would not purchase a base system at any price. 3. Calculating Public Benefits Public benefits of widespread adoption of sensor networks were estimated based on various assumed adoption rates using data collected from a national grower survey. Environmental benefits were projected under a variety of scenarios for ornamental growers e.g. a 50% industry adoption rate with an average of 50% water savings would save enough water for 400,000 households a year, reduced energy usage equivalent to removing 7,500 cars annually, and savings of 282,000 kg of nitrogen and 182,000 kg of phosphorus from entering the environment. Objective 8: Engaging Growers and the Industry on Benefits and Limitations of Sensor Networks. Our project engages eight commercial nursery and two greenhouse operations on a daily basis, to ensure that the farm-based sensors network installations have maximal utility and practical application for the industry Objective 9: Educational Outreach Activities. These activities are listed under section D (below). Objective 10: Training Opportunities for Graduate and Undergraduate Students. These opportunities are detailed in the next section (opportunites for training and professional development)

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Starry, O., J. Kim, S. Dove, M. van Iersel, and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Effects of water availability and temperature on CAM expression and water use efficiency by Sedum album and Sedum kamtschaticum. HortScience 48:S143.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Thomas, P.T., M. Chappell, J.M. Ruter, E. Lichtenberg, and M.W. van Iersel. 2013. Wireless sensor networks for automated irrigation control in container nurseries: implementation and economic impact. HortScience 48:S179.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: van Iersel, M.W. and S. K. Dove. 2013. Temporal and spatial oxygen dynamics in soilless substrate as affected by environmental conditions. GroSci 2013. The International Symposium on Growing Media and Soilless Cultivation. p. 58.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: White, S.A., J.S Owen, J.C. Majsztrik, R.T. Fernandez, P.R. Fisher, C.R, Hall, T.A Irani, J.D. Lea-Cox, J. Newman ad L.R. Oki. 2013. Containment, remediation, and recycling of irrigation water for sustainable ornamental crop production: Results of a SCRI planning grant. HortScience 48:S427-428.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Chappell, M. 2012. Irrigation sensor networks: from the source to the plant. UGA Rainwater Harvesting Symposium. Athens, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Chappell, M. 2012. Irrigation: Fundamentals and Cost of Irrigation Efficiency and Uniformity. Tennessee Master Nursery Program. McMinnville, TN.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Chappell, M., G.F. Kantor and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Decision Irrigation: How it Benefits Your Crop Health, Crop Quality and Your Wallet. Chesapeake Green Conference. 15 Feb, 2013. Baltimore, MD.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lea-Cox, J. D. 2012. Some Observations on Interdisciplinary Project Planning and Management. In: Collaborative Research Projects Highlight the Economic Benefits of Agricultural Research. Webinar organized by the Tri-Societies (ASA/CSSA/SSSA) and Council on Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics (C-FARE) for USDA-NIFA Program Leaders. 15 Oct, 2012.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lea-Cox, J. D., O. Starry, A. G. Ristvey and S. Cohan. 2012. Progress in Developing a Mechanistic Water Balance Model to Predict Green Roof Performance and Efficiency. In: Quantification of Green Roofs Contributions to Building and Community Performance. NASA-ESA International Workshop on Environment and Alternative Energy. 4  7 Dec, 2012. NASA-Goddard Space Center, Greenbelt MD.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lea-Cox, J.D., S. Burnett and M. van Iersel. 2013. Irrigation Automation Session 2. Ohio Florist Association Short Course. Columbus, OH. 15 July, 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: van Iersel, M., S. Burnett and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Irrigation Automation Session 1. Ohio Florist Association Short Course. Columbus, OH. 15 July, 2013
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: van Iersel, M.W. 2012. The plant propagation industry in the United States. International seminar on Propagation Technologies and Certification of Nursery Plants. Rancagua, Chile.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: van Iersel, M.W. 2012. Efficient water use during plant propagation. International seminar on Propagation Technologies and Certification of Nursery Plants. Rancagua, Chile.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: van Iersel, M.W. 2012. Automating irrigation: the evolution of an intelligent design. Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia. Athens, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: van Iersel, M. and M. Chappell. 2013. Sensor controlled irrigation: A case study with gardenia. WinterGreen 2013. CANR open house. Duluth, GA.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Thomas, P.A. 2013. Wireless Sensor Networks For Automated Irrigation Control in Container Nurseries. Georgia Farm Bureau Convention. Jeckyll Island, GA. December, 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bauerle, T.L., M. Centinari and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Incorporating precision irrigation into water management strategies for nurseries. Long Island Agricultural Forum, Riverhead, NY.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lichtenberg, E. 2013. Optimal investment in precision irrigation systems: a dynamic intraseasonal approach. Selected paper presented at the annual meeting of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. Washington, DC. August 4-6, 2013.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Barnard, D.M. and W.L. Bauerle. 2013. A comparison of the potential for scaling up irrigation scheduling techniques: substrate moisture sensing versus predictive water use modeling. HortScience 48:S180-181.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Barnard, D.M. and W.L. Bauerle. 2013. The implications of minimum stomatal conductance on modeling water flux in forest canopies. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences 118:1322-1333, doi: 10.1002/jgrg.20112.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bauerle, W.L., A.B. Daniels, and D.M. Barnard. 2013. Carbon and water flux responses to physiology by environment interactions: A sensitivity analysis of variation in climate on photosynthetic and stomatal parameters. Climate Dynamics doi:10.1007/s00382-013-1894-6.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bayer, A., I. Mahbub, M. Chappell, J. Ruter, and M.W. van Iersel. 2013. Water use and growth of Hibiscus acetosella Panama Red grown with a soil moisture sensor controlled irrigation system. HortScience 48:980-987.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Kim, J., A. Malladi, and M.W. van Iersel. 2012. Physiological and molecular responses to drought in Petunia: the importance of stress severity. Journal of Experimental Botany 63:6335-6345.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Majsztrik, J. and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Water quality regulations in the Chesapeake Bay: Working to more precisely estimate nutrient loading rates and incentivize best management practices in the nursery and greenhouse industry. HortScience 48:1097-1102.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: OMeara, L., M.W. van Iersel, and M.R. Chappell. 2013. Daily water use of Hydrangea macrophylla and Gardenia jasminoides as affected by growth stage and environmental conditions. HortScience 48:1040-1046.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Stoy, P.C. A.M. Trowbridge, A.M., W.L. Bauerle. 2013. Controls on seasonal patterns of maximum ecosystem carbon uptake and canopy-scale photosynthetic light response: contributions from both temperature and photoperiod. Photosynthesis Research doi: 10.1007/s11120-013-9799-0.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Alem, P.O., P.A. Thomas, and M.W. van Iersel. 201x. Irrigation volume and fertilizer concentration effects on leaching and growth of petunia. Acta Hort. (In press).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Bayer, A., K. Whitaker, M. Chappell, J. Ruter, and M. van Iersel. 201x. Effect of irrigation duration and fertilizer rate on plant growth, substrate solution EC, and leaching volume. Acta Hort. (In press).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Belayneh, B.E. and J.D. Lea-Cox. 201x. Implementation of Sensor-controlled Decision Irrigation Scheduling in Pot-in-Pot Nursery Production. Acta Hort. (In press).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kim, J., J.D. Lea-Cox, M. Chappell, and M.W. van Iersel. 201x. Wireless sensors networks for optimization of irrigation, production, and profit in ornamental production. Acta Hort. (In press).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Starry, O., J.D. Lea-Cox, A.G. Ristvey and S. Cohan. 201x. Monitoring and Modeling Green Roof Performance Using Sensor Networks. Acta Hort. (In press).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: van Iersel, M.W. and S.K. Dove. 201x. Temporal dynamics of oxygen concentrations in a peat-perlite substrate. Acta Hort. (In press).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Chappell, M. and M. van Iersel. 2012. Sensor network deployment and implementation in commercial nurseries and greenhouses. Technical Proceedings: 2012 Irrigation Tradeshow and Education Conference. Irrigation Assoc. Falls Church, VA. 10 p.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Kantor, G.F. and D. Kohanbash. 2012. Next-Generation Monitoring and Control Hardware Development. Technical Proceedings: 2012 Irrigation Tradeshow and Education Conference. Irrigation Assoc. Falls Church, VA. 7p.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Kim, J. 2012. Developing and integrating plant models for predictive irrigation. Technical Proceedings: 2012 Irrigation Tradeshow and Education Conference. Irrigation Assoc. Falls Church, VA. 6p.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Lea-Cox, J. D. and B. E. Belayneh. 2012. Irrigation Complexities - Using Sensor Networks for Real-time Scheduling in Commercial Horticultural Operations. Technical Proceedings: 2012 Irrigation Tradeshow and Education Conference. Irrigation Assoc. Falls Church, VA. 9p.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Majsztrik, J. M., E. Lichtenberg and J. D. Lea-Cox. 2012. A National Perspective on Irrigation Trends and Sensor Network Adoption in Ornamental Nursery and Greenhouse Operations. Technical Proceedings: 2012 Irrigation Tradeshow and Education Conference. Irrigation Assoc. Falls Church, VA. 7p
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: van Iersel, M.W. 2012. Integrating soil moisture and other sensors for precision irrigation. Technical Proceedings: 2012 Irrigation Tradeshow and Education Conference. Irrigation Assoc. Falls Church, VA. 15 p.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Majsztrik, J.C., S.A. White, J.S. Owen and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. The State of Water in the Green Industry Part I: Water Resource Availability. Nursery Management. June. 29(6): 28, 30-32.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Majsztrik, J.C., J.S. Owen, S.A. White and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. The state of water in the green industry Part II: Water Use Efficiency. Nursery Management. July. 29(7): 24, 26, 28.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: White, S.A., J.S. Owen, J.C. Majsztrik and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. The state of water in the green industry Part III: Water Quality. Nursery Management. August. 29(8): 20-21,23-25.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Majsztrik, J.C., S.A. White, J.S. Owen and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Water Smarts. The State of Water I. Greenhouse Management. August. 33(8): 24-26.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Majsztrik, J.C., J.S. Owen, S.A. White and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Efficient Irrigation: The State of Water II. Greenhouse Management. September. 33(9): 22-25.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: White, S.A., J.S. Owen, J.C. Majsztrik and J.D. Lea-Cox. 2013. Water Quality: Salts, Pests, and Pesticides - The State of Water Part III. Greenhouse Management. October. 33(10): 40, 42-46.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Kuack, D. 2013. Making sense of greenhouse irrigation. Greenhouse Product News 22(June) 22-29.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Alem, P.O, P.A. Thomas, and M.W. van Iersel. 2013. Irrigation volume and fertilizer concentration effects on leaching and growth of petunia. GroSci 2013. The International Symposium on Growing Media and Soilless Cultivation. p. 38.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bauerle, W.L., A.B. Daniels, and D.M. Barnard. 2013. Carbon and water flux responses to physiology by environment interactions: A sensitivity analysis of climate impacts on biophysical model parameters HortScience 48:S143-144.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bayer, A., J.M. Ruter, and M. van Iersel. 2013. Fertilizer rate and irrigation duration affect leachate volume, electrical conductivity, and growth of Gardenia jasminoides. HortScience 48:S182.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bayer, A., and M. van Iersel. 2013. Using different teaching methods to enhance student learning of climate change. HortScience 48:S203.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bayer, A., K. Whitaker, M. Chappell, J. Ruter, and M.W. van Iersel. 2013. Effect of irrigation duration and fertilizer rate on plant growth, substrate EC, and leaching volume. GroSci 2013. The International Symposium on Growing Media and Soilless Cultivation. p. 74.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Belayneh, B.E. and J.D. Lea-Cox. 201x. Implementation of Sensor-controlled Decision Irrigation Scheduling in Pot-in-Pot Nursery Production. GroSci 2013. The International Symposium on Growing Media and Soilless Cultivation. p. 28
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Crawford, L., J.D. Lea-Cox, J. Majsztrik, W. Bauerle, M. van Iersel, T. Martin, and D. Kohanbash. 2013. Behind the curtain: The support component of wireless soil moisture networks. HortScience 48: S181-182.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ferrarezi, R.S., M.D. Ribeiro, M.W van Iersel, and R. Testezlaf. 2013. Subirrigation controlled by capacitance sensors for citrus rootstock production. HortScience 48:S142.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lea-Cox, J. D., B. E. Belayneh and A.G. Ristvey. 2013. Daily and seasonal changes in the water quality of irrigation containment ponds. In: Workshop - The challenges of using alternative and recycled water sources for horticultural use. HortScience 48:S106.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Majsztrik, J., E. Lichtenberg, and M. Saavoss. 2013. Costs and benefits of sensor networks for greenhouse cut flower production. HortScience 48:S144-145.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Majsztrik, J., E. Lichtenberg, and M. Saavoss. 2013. Water, irrigation costs, and the benefits of sensor networks: Results from a national survey. HortScience 48:S181.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Rivera, L.D., L. Crawford, M. van Iersel and S. Dove. 2013. Comparing hydraulic properties of soilless substrates with natural soils: a more detailed look at hydraulic properties and their impact on plant water availability. HortScience 48:S426-427.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Alem, P.O., P.A. Thomas, and M.W. van Iersel. 2013. Control of poinsettia stem elongation: height limits using deficit irrigation. HortScience 48:S141-142
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Barnard, D.M. and W.L. Bauerle. 2013. The implications of minimum stomatal conductance on estimating water flux in containerized tree nurseries. HortScience 48:S180.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bauerle, T.L. 2013. New methods to quantify root responses to variable water or nutrient supply. HortScience 48:S94.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bauerle W.L., D.M. Barnard, G.S. Lloyd, A.B. Daniels, D. Banks, G. Reuning, and B. Miles. 2013. The implications of differences in stomatal conductance model parameters on estimates of ecosystem-atmosphere energy exchange. CESM land model and biogeochemistry working group meetings. February 20-22, Boulder, CO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bauerle, W.L., A.B. Daniels, and D.M. Barnard. 2013. Carbon and water flux responses to physiology by environment interactions: A sensitivity analysis of climate impacts on model parameters. Western Crop Science Society Annual Meeting, June 6-7, Pendleton, OR


Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Significant results reported by the various teams in Year 3 include: - Enhanced the sophisticated software interface (Sensorweb) that allow growers to implement both schedule-based, set-point, and model-based irrigation control strategies, with the ability to update nR5 nodes in the field in real-time, over the internet. - The Sensorweb software has many new features including graphical views, real-time alerts as text messages or e-mails, bad sensor and error detection, and advanced irrigation methods as part of the user interface. - Sensor-controlled irrigation has been implemented in six commercial operations, where local set-point or model-based control has been used to continuously schedule daily irrigations throughout 2012 with little human intervention. - Sensor-based irrigation at McCorkle's nursery in GA eliminated up to 30% of plant death in Gardenia, typically attributed to disease. Just as importantly, the production cycle was reduced from 14 to 8 months, reducing production inputs. This resulted in an additional net return on this crop of $1.06 / ft2; the return on investment for this sensor network was less than 3 months. - The University of Maryland (UM) has documented reductions in water use from 37 to 69% of current precision irrigation water applications in TN, with no reduction in plant growth or quality. - Colorado State University (CSU) used the MAESTRA model integrated with Sensorweb, to directly control solenoids and actively control irrigation at Willoway Nurseries throughout 2012. - Cornell University (CU) developed non-destructive techniques to quantify root structure through 2-dimensional slices of X-ray computed tomography scans. - Research at the University of Georgia (UGA) determined that water deficit techniques using soil moisture sensors can control poinsettia height without compromising quality, providing an alternative to chemical height control methods. - UGA has developed a new, plant-based method to determine plant available water in soilless substrates. It was shown that plants can extract water from substrates at much lower moisture contents (12% for in G. jasminoides and 16% VWC for H. macrophylla) than what was previously reported based on substrate water release curves. - UM has critically evaluated sensor variability and performance associated with spatial variability in greenhouse and container production. - Three models predicting plant water use have been integrated into Sensorweb: 1) UGA Petunia model, 2) CSU MAESTRA model (tree water use), and 3) UMD Green Roof storm water model. - CSU has calibrated and validated the performance of the predictive tree water use (MAESTRA) model, using empirical water balance measurements. - The green roof stormwater model has been parametized by UM, and is undergoing verification and validation using empirical data from rainfall events in 2011 and 2102. - We have conducted a large national irrigation and water use survey. We are gathering further industry-specific information on irrigation/disease management, economic importance of reductions in water cost/disease losses and willingness to pay for sensors. PARTICIPANTS: The key project personnel, their roles and responsibilities are as follows: A. University of Maryland (1) Dr. John Lea-Cox (PI): Overall Project Management; (2) Dr. Andrew Ristvey: Green Roof Project Management; (3) Dr. Steven Cohan: Green Roof deployment and evaluation (4) Dr. Erik Lichtenburg and Dr. John Majsztrik: Economic and benefit-cost analysis; (6) Dr. Dennis King: Environmental and Issues Analysis; Environmental impacts of changed practices and barriers to adoption; B. Carnegie Mellon University (1) Dr. George Kantor: Sensor network (hardware) development; GUI software development; (2) Mr. David Kohanbash: Engineering Specialist; GUI software development; C. Colorado State University (1) Dr. Bill Bauerle: Integration of sensing data with plant environmental models (2) Dr. Michael Lefsky: lidar specialist; remote lidar data capture and analysis; (3) Dr. Stephanie Kampf: Hydrologist - Analysis of variation in water content in soils and substrates; D. Cornell University: (1) Dr. Taryn Bauerle: Characterization of root structure attributes and morphological adaptation of root E. University of Georgia: (1) Dr. Marc van Iersel: Physiological Research; GUI software development; (2) Dr. Paul Thomas: Physiological Research; software development; (3) Dr. Matthew Chappell: Sensor Network deployment and evaluation; Implementation and day-to-day interaction with partners (test site networks); (4) Dr. John Ruter: Physiological Research; Sensor Network deployment and evaluation F. Decagon Devices, Inc. (1) Dr. Colin Campbell: Data analysis; Project Administration and Reporting (2) Ms. Lauren Bissey: Sensor network (hardware) development; Hardware support and troubleshooting with industry partners (test site networks G. Antir Software, LLC. (1) Mr. Richard Bauer: Project Management; Crop Model software development; H. Grower Partners / Advisory Panel Members. (1) Mr. Charles Bauers: Bauers Greenhouses, Jarrettsville, MD (2) Mr. Steve Black Raemelton Farm, Adamstown, MD (3) Mr. Jerry Faulring: Waverley Farm, Adamstown, MD (4) Mr. Terry Hines: Hale and Hines Nursery, McMinnville, TN (5) Mr. Tom Demaline: Willoway Nursery, Avon, OH (6) Mr. Chris McCorkle: McCorkle Nursery, Dearing, GA (7) Mr. Will Ross: Evergreen Nursery, Athens GA (8) Mr. Gregory Long: Capitol Green Roofs, Arlington, VA (9) Mr. Todd Martin: Decagon Devices, Inc. Pullman, WA (10) Dr. Nick Place: Associate Dean of Extension, University of Florida-IFAS. College Park, MD (11) Dr.Bruce Bugbee: Professor, Crop Physiology, Utah State University and CEO, Apogee Instruments, Inc., Logan UT. (12) Mr. Marc Teffeau: Director, Research and Regulatory Affairs, Horticultural Research Institute; American Nursery and Landscape Association, Washington, DC. TARGET AUDIENCES: As a Coordinated Agricultural Specialty Crops Research Initiative Project, we are focused on delivering a commercial wireless sensor network capable of supporting the intensive production system requirements of field nurseries, container nurseries, greenhouse operations and green roof systems. The global goals of this project are: (1) to provide a more integrative and mechanistic understanding of plant water requirements, spanning from micro-scale (e.g. plant level) to macro-scale (e.g. whole production site) for irrigation and nutrient management and (2) to quantify private and public economic benefits of this technology. The project is integrated across various scales of production by using small and large commercial test sites which allow us to take a systems approach to identify the micro- to macro-scale answers underlying nursery, greenhouse, and green roof irrigation management. An economic, environmental and social analysis will identify cost and benefits to the industry and society as well as barriers to adoption of this new technology. The project structure allows us to engage the industry collaborators on a day-to-day basis to ensure product satisfaction of the next generation of hardware and software developed by our commercial partners. The short and long-term goals of this project are to: 1. Develop and commercialize advanced wireless sensor networks and customizable software to meet the monitoring and control 4 requirements for irrigation at a species level; 2. Determine the performance and utility of moisture and EC sensors for precision irrigation and nutrient management; 3. Address spatial and temporal variability issues to optimize the numbers of sensors; 4. Integrate micro-scale data with macro-scale models to predict short-term plant water use in various environments; provide real-time storm water runoff data from green roofs, to model system efficiency; 5. Quantify improvements in water and nutrient management, nutrient runoff, plant quality, and yield; 6. Evaluate the private and public economic and environmental impacts of precision sensor-controlled practices; identify barriers to adoption and implementation of these practices; 7. Engage growers and the industry in the operation, benefits and current limitations of the sensor / modeling approach to irrigation management; 8. Develop strategies and better management practices for irrigation and nutrient management monitoring, by working with growers with on-farm networks, to innovate and capture needs-based issues; 9. Provide web- ased educational materials, focusing on the pros and cons of sensors networks, and the strategies, economics and impacts of this research; 10. Train undergraduate and graduate students in science and engineering. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Year three was pivotal for the SCRI-MINDS project. The significant engineering effort put into the development of the advanced monitoring and control (nR5) node and supporting software (Sensorweb) in Year 2, was implemented in a number of research situations and commercial operations during 2012. We are now actively monitoring and controlling irrigation in 12 different locations, including 6 commercial greenhouses and nurseries. This is a major milestone for the project, since this is perhaps the most critical deliverable of this project. Many of the exciting results reported by the scientific teams this year are based on this implementation. The relatively flawless deployment of this advanced irrigation monitoring and control system has allowed us to achieve significant reductions in water use that are impossible to achieve without this technology. We have also seen that in some cases the cropping cycle can be drastically shortened, while plant/flower quality is improved. This can have a major economic impact on greenhouses and nurseries. This is possible because the system combines precision irrigation strategies with decision-support provided by a range of moisture sensors and models for various species. For example, the micro-pulse routine in Sensorweb allows for very short duration irrigation events within an irrigation scheduling "window" that has achieved demonstrated water savings when combined with sensor-based setpoint control. This "embedded intelligence" is just one example of the tools and irrigation strategies we are developing as part of this project. Three specific project impact statements are available at American Society for Horticultural Science: Center for Horticultural Impact Statements. http://ashsmedia.org. A comprehensive Year 3 report is available from the Smart-farms Website at http://www.smart-farms.net/immpacts

Publications

  • Lea-Cox, J. D. 2012. Using Wireless Sensor Networks for Precision Irrigation Scheduling. Chapter 12. In: Problems, Perspectives and Challenges of Agricultural Water Management. M. Kumar (Ed.) InTech Press. Rijeka, Croatia. pp. 233-258.
  • Lea-Cox, J. D, B. Belayneh, J. Kim and J. C. Majsztrik. 2012. The Value of Weather Data for Daily Nursery Management Decisions. Proc. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. 57:87-93.
  • Majsztrik, J. C., A. G. Ristvey and J. D Lea-Cox. 2012. An In-Depth look at Fertilizer and Irrigation Practices in Marylands Ornamental Nursery Industry. Proc. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. 57:35-42.
  • Starry, O., J. D. Lea-Cox, A. G. Ristvey and S. Cohan. 2012. Controlling for storm size when evaluating treatment effects in green roof runoff data. Proc. Mid-Atlantic Green Roof Symposium. 16-17th August, 2012. College Park, MD. 7p.
  • Bauerle, W.L., R. Oren, D.A. Way, S.S. Qian, P.C. Stoy, P.E. Thornton, J.D. Bowden, F.M. Hoffman, and R.F. Reynolds. 2012. Photoperiodic regulation of the seasonal pattern of photosynthetic capacity and the implications for carbon cycling. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 109:8612-8617.
  • Daniels, A.B., D.M. Barnard, P.L. Chapman, and W.L. Bauerle. 2012. Optimizing substrate moisture measurements in containerized nurseries. HortScience. 47(1):98-104.
  • Garland, K.F., S.E. Burnett, M.E. Day, and M.W. van Iersel. 2012. Influence of substrate water content and daily light integral on photosynthesis, water use efficiency, and morphology of Heuchera americana. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 137:57-62.
  • Gspaltl, M. W. Bauerle, D. Binkley, and H. Sterba. 2012. Leaf area and light use efficiency patterns of Norway spruce under different thinning regimes and age classes. Forest Ecology and Management, doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2011.11.044.
  • Kim, J., A. Malladi, and M.W. van Iersel. 2012. Abscisic acid related gene expression and physiological responses of petunia at different substrate water contents. Journal of Experimental Botany. doi: 10.1093/jxb/ers285
  • Mattson, N.S. and M.W. van Iersel. 2011. Application of the 4R nutrient stewardship concept to horticultural crops: Applying nutrients at the right time. HortTechnology 21:667-673.
  • Solano, L., A. G. Ristvey, J. D. Lea-Cox and S. M. Cohan. 2012. Sequestering zinc from recycled crumb rubber in extensive green roof media. Ecol. Engineering 47: 284-290.
  • Bayer, A., M. Chappell, J. Ruter, and M. van Iersel. 2011. Managing growth of Hibiscus acetosella by controlling substrate moisture with sensor controlled irrigation. Proceedings of the 2011 meeting of the IPPS Southern Region meeting. http://ipps-srna.org/pdf/2011Papers/21-Bayer-student.pdf
  • Chappell, M., M. van Iersel, E. Lichtenberg, J. Majsztrik, P. Thomas, J. Ruter and S. Wells. (2012). Benefits of Precision Irrigation of Gardenia augusta Heaven Scent: Reducing Shrinkage, Shortening the Cropping Cycle, and Economic Impact. Proc. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. 57:321-323.
  • Chappell, M., M. van Iersel, S. Dove, J. Ruter, P. Thomas, A. Bayer, L. O'Meara, P. Alem, R. Ferrarezi, J. Kim. 2011. Monitoring Environmental Conditions and Substrate Water Content to Increase Efficiency of Irrigation in Nurseries. 2011 Irrigation Assoc. Innovations in Irrigation Conf. 19p.
  • Ferrarezi, R. S., M.W. van Iersel, and R. Testezlaf. 2012. Fotossintese e crescimento de plantas de salvia cultivadas por subirrigacao em sistema semi-continuo para medicao de CO2. Proceedings of the X Congreso Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Ingenieria Agricola - CLIA e XLI Congresso Brasileiro de Engenharia Agricola - CONBEA Londrina - Parana, Brazil.
  • Ferrarezi, R.S., M.W. van Iersel, and R. Testezlaf. 2012. Sensores capacitivos no monitoramento e controle da subirrigacao na producao de salvia. Proceedings of the X Congreso Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Ingenieria Agricola - CLIA e XLI Congresso Brasileiro de Engenharia Agricola - CONBEA Londrina - Parana, Brazil.
  • Kim, J., B. Belayneh and J. D. Lea-Cox. 2012. Estimating daily water use of snapdragon in a hydroponic production system. Proc. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. 57:336-340.
  • van Iersel, M.W. , M.R. Chappell, P.A. Thomas, J.M. Ruter and S. Wells. 2012. Wireless sensor networks for monitoring and controlling irrigation in greenhouses and nurseries. Proceedings of the X Congreso Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Ingenieria Agricola - CLIA e XLI Congresso Brasileiro de Engenharia Agricola - CONBEA Londrina - Parana.
  • Burnett. S., M. van Iersel, and J. Kim. 2012. Predicting plant water uptake. Greenhouse Grower 29(3): 44, 46.
  • Burnett, S.E., S. Zhen, and M. van Iersel. 2012. Water requirements of herbaceous perennial plants. American Floral Endowment Special Research Report #533.
  • Chappell, M., M. van Iersel, J. Ruter, E. Lichtenberg, J. Majsztrik and P. Thomas. 2012. Drop by Drop: Precision Irrigation Saves Significant Costs. Nursery Management. 37(6):47-48.
  • Peter, A., P. Thomas, M. van Iersel, and S. Burnett. 2012. Using soil moisture sensors for poinsettia height control. American Floral Endowment Special Research Report #532.
  • Lea-Cox, J.D. and L. Monahan, 2012. Smart-farms Website and Knowledge Center Redesign: http://www.smart-farms.net and http://www.smart-farms.net
  • Van Iersel, M.W. , M. Chappell, J.M. Ruter and P.A. Thomas. 2012. Better Irrigation in Nurseries and Greenhouses Saves both Water and Money. American Society for Horticultural Science: Center for Horticultural Impact Statements. http://ashsmedia.org/p=410
  • Kohanbash D., Valada, A. & Kantor, G.A. 2012. Base Station Design and Architecture for Wireless Sensor Networks. Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (CIGR). 8-12th July, 2012. Valencia Spain.
  • Kohanbash, D., A Valada and G. Kantor. 2012. Irrigation Control Methods for Wireless Sensor Networks. Amer. Soc. Agric. Biol. Eng. 29th July-1th August, 2012. Dallas, TX. Paper #121337112. 8p.


Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The SCRI-MINDS project has made significant progress during the second year, and almost all aspects of the project are on track or ahead of schedule. 1. Hardware and Software Development: Engineering developments have been the number one project priority during year 2, since further scientific discovery, implementation and model development in years 3-5 are entirely dependent upon this critical work. We achieved all our year engineering 2 goals, including the development of a new sensor network base station with the intelligence to manage nodes with control capability; Development of a web-based graphical user interface (sensorweb) that can be used to view data and control nodes; Manufacture of two next-generation Decagon nodes, which both have built-in control capability; Evaluation of a new water content, electrical conductivity and temperature sensor, which has been designed specifically to work in highly porous nursery and greenhouse (soilless) substrates. 2. Model Development: The models developed by the Antir software and various scientists are the key to minimizing water usage and having an optimal irrigation strategy. These models are being integrated directly into the sensorweb graphical user interface by the engineering team. The Petunia model and most of the MAESTRA model were integrated into sensorweb in year 2. The interactive effects between various environmental variables and their effect on transpiration with the MAESTRA model are being studied. This sensitivity analysis will have important implications for irrigation scheduling based on live, or forecast environmental data. A green roof stormwater model has been parametized and the model is currently being encoded. Additionally, work started in year 2 on parametizing the Snapdragon model, based on measuring plant growth, daily intercepted light integral and vapor pressure deficit. 3. University Research and Development: A large number of individual plant research studies are underway at the various Universities, looking at various aspects of plant and water use, including plant growth and adaptation to drought stress, reduced nutrient use and reduced disease incidence. Many of the environmental data being measured by the various projects (both in research sites and on farms - see below) are being used to develop and test predictive plant water use models and quantify the economic and environmental benefits of using sensor networks. 4. On-Farm Research: All growers in the project are actively using soil moisture and environmental data from their sensor networks for better decision-making, on a daily basis. New software "grower tools" that calculate integrated information, such as daily light integral (DLI), delta VWC (change in water content) and degree-days (for predictive insect development) are providing added-value information, in addition to typical weather station data such as air temperature, relative humidity rainfall and wind speed which are used for a variety of cultural management decisions every day. PARTICIPANTS: The key project personnel, their roles and responsibilities are as follows: A. University of Maryland (1) Dr. John Lea-Cox (PI): Overall Project Management; (2) Dr. Andrew Ristvey: Green Roof Project Management; (3) Dr. Steven Cohan: Green Roof deployment and evaluation (4) Dr. Erik Lichtenburg and Dr. John Majsztrik: Economic and benefit-cost analysis; (6) Dr. Dennis King: Environmental and Issues Analysis; Environmental impacts of changed practices and barriers to adoption; B. Carnegie Mellon University (1) Dr. George Kantor: Sensor network (hardware) development; GUI software development; (2) Mr. David Kohanbash: Engineering Specialist; GUI software development; C. Colorado State University (1) Dr. Bill Bauerle: Integration of sensing data with plant environmental models (2) Dr. Michael Lefsky: lidar specialist; remote lidar data capture and analysis; (3) Dr. Stephanie Kampf: Hydrologist - Analysis of variation in water content in soils and substrates; D. Cornell University: (1) Dr. Taryn Bauerle: Characterization of root structure attributes and morphological adaptation of root E. University of Georgia: (1) Dr. Marc van Iersel: Physiological Research; GUI software development; (2) Dr. Paul Thomas: Physiological Research; software development; (3) Dr. Matthew Chappell: Sensor Network deployment and evaluation; Implementation and day-to-day interaction with partners (test site networks); (4) Dr. John Ruter: Physiological Research; Sensor Network deployment and evaluation F. Decagon Devices, Inc. (1) Dr. Colin Campbell: Data analysis; Project Administration and Reporting (2) Ms. Lauren Bissey: Sensor network (hardware) development; Hardware support and troubleshooting with industry partners (test site networks G. Antir Software, LLC. (1) Mr. Richard Bauer: Project Management; Crop Model software development; H. Grower Partners / Advisory Panel Members. (1) Mr. Charles Bauers: Bauers Greenhouses, Jarrettsville, MD (2) Mr. Steve Black Raemelton Farm, Adamstown, MD (3) Mr. Jerry Faulring: Waverley Farm, Adamstown, MD (4) Mr. Terry Hines: Hale and Hines Nursery, McMinnville, TN (5) Mr. Tom Demaline: Willoway Nursery, Avon, OH (6) Mr. Chris McCorkle: McCorkle Nursery, Dearing, GA (7) Mr. Will Ross: Evergreen Nursery, Athens GA (8) Mr. Gregory Long: Capitol Green Roofs, Arlington, VA (9) Mr. Todd Martin: Decagon Devices, Inc. Pullman, WA (10) Dr. Nick Place: Associate Dean of Extension, University of Maryland. College Park, MD (11) Dr.Bruce Bugbee: Professor, Crop Physiology, Utah State University and CEO, Apogee Instruments, Inc., Logan UT. (12) Mr. Marc Teffeau: Director, Research and Regulatory Affairs, Horticultural Research Institute; American Nursery and Landscape Association, Washington, DC. TARGET AUDIENCES: As a Coordinated Agricultural Specialty Crops Research Initiative Project, we are focused on delivering a commercial wireless sensor network capable of supporting the intensive production system requirements of field nurseries, container nurseries, greenhouse operations and green roof systems. The global goals of this project are (1) to provide a more integrative and mechanistic understanding of plant water requirements, spanning from micro-scale (e.g. plant level) to macro-scale (e.g. whole production site) for irrigation and nutrient management and (2) to quantify private and public economic benefits of this technology. The project is integrated across various scales of production by using small and large commercial test sites which allow us to take a systems approach to identify the micro- to macro-scale answers underlying nursery, greenhouse, and green roof irrigation management. An economic, environmental and social analysis will identify cost and benefits to the industry and society as well as barriers to adoption of this new technology. The project structure allows us to engage the industry collaborators on a day-to-day basis to ensure product satisfaction of the next generation of hardware and software developed by our commercial partners. The short and long-term goals of this project are to: 1. Develop and commercialize advanced wireless sensor networks and customizable software to meet the monitoring and control 4 requirements for irrigation at a species level; 2. Determine the performance and utility of moisture and EC sensors for precision irrigation and nutrient management; 3. Address spatial and temporal variability issues to optimize the numbers of sensors; 4. Integrate micro-scale data with macro-scale models to predict short-term plant water use in various environments; provide real-time storm water runoff data from green roofs, to model system efficiency; 5. Quantify improvements in water and nutrient management, nutrient runoff, plant quality, and yield; 6. Evaluate the private and public economic and environmental impacts of precision sensor-controlled practices; identify barriers to adoption and implementation of these practices; 7. Engage growers and the industry in the operation, benefits and current limitations of the sensor / modeling approach to irrigation management; 8. Develop strategies and better management practices for irrigation and nutrient management monitoring, by working with growers with on-farm networks, to innovate and capture needs-based issues; 9. Provide web- ased educational materials, focusing on the pros and cons of sensors networks, and the strategies, economics and impacts of this research; 10. Train undergraduate and graduate students in science and engineering. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The amount of water needed to grow high quality petunia plants was surprisingly low. Only 400 ml (1/10 gallon) was needed to grow petunia plants from plug seedling to full bloom in 23 days, with no nutrient leaching. Only 0.6- 0.8 g (< 0.03 oz) of fertilizer was need to grow these plants. Sensor networks have the capability to monitor and control subirrigation systems, which further conserve water and reduce nutrient loss to virtually zero risk. Various plant experiments both in greenhouse and outdoor nursery environments have demonstrated that sensor-controlled irrigation can precisely manipulate plant growth, for height and canopy density control, enhancing plant quality and customer appeal. Plant water use is strongly correlated to daily light interception, vapor pressure deficit and plant size. All of these variables are easily measured by various sensors or manually inputted into models. Preliminary plant water use models developed thus far have shown that we can accurately predict water use, by using sensor networks at various scales. We are monitoring and model daily water use of snapdragon within a production greenhouse environment. Preliminary results have shown that snapdragon water use can be modeled from measurement of intercepted light, vapor pressure deficit with increasing plant age. Preliminary root density measurements from mature soil-grown red maples show that the prevalence of fine roots is strongly correlated to drip emitter placement and fine roots persist in this drip zone for up to two years, after no further irrigation. Most roots from a 2 and 4-year-old tree were confined to the top 30cm (12") of the soil profile. These results have important implications for the precise placement of sensors for monitoring soil moisture and EC (nutrients) in the root zone. Based on measurements of spatial and temporal variation in substrate water contents, we are developing species-specific sensor instructions for sensor installation for large tree containers, and have a good idea of the number of sensors required to place within blocks of different tree species. Measurements of wind extinction coefficients in outdoor nurseries has shown that this is an important variable in predicting field (outdoor) plant water use, which should be carefully characterized by installing additional anemometers within tree rows. Recent work with CT scans at Cornell been able to image roots whole and nondestructively in soilless nursery substrates. By controlling irrigation using soil moisture sensors we minimized overwatering and reduce disease. In one on-farm economic study, the normal production time of a salable crop of gardenia was reduced by 43% and typical crop losses due to root disease were reduced from 30% to zero. The total increase in profits from reduced production time and elimination of shrinkage corresponding to $1.06 savings per ft2 per production cycle. In this case, the $3,000 precision irrigation system installed in this study would have a payback period of less than 2 months.

Publications

  • 13. Kim, J., A. Malladi, and M. van Iersel. 2011. Physiological responses of petunia to different levels of drought stress. Proc. SNA Research Conf. 56:46-51.
  • 14. Peter, A., P.A. Thomas, and M.W. van Iersel. 2011. Growth of petunia as affected by substrate moisture content and fertilizer rate. Proc. SNA Research Conf. 56:167-172.
  • 15. Soranz Ferrarezi, R. and M.W. van Iersel. 2011. Monitoring and controlling subirrigation with soil moisture sensors: a case study with hibiscus. Proc. SNA Research Conf. 56:187-191.
  • 16. Starry, O., J.D. Lea-Cox, A.G. Ristvey and S. Cohan. 2011. Utilizing Sensor Networks to Assess Stormwater Retention by Greenroofs. Amer. Soc. Agric. Biol. Eng. 7-12th August, 2011. Louisville, KY. Paper #1111202. 7p.
  • 17. O'Meara, L., M. Chappell, and M.W. van Iersel. 2011. Water consumption of hydrangea macrophylla as affected by environmental factors. Proc. SNA Research Conf. 56:162-166.
  • 18. van Iersel, M., W. Ross, S. Dove, M. Chappell, P. Thomas, J. Ruter, and S. Wells. 2011. Substrate water content dynamics in nurseries: real-time monitoring can improve irrigation practices. Proc. SNA Research Conf. 56:173-179.
  • 19. Lea-Cox, J. D. 2011. Smart Irrigation Strategies: Growers get high-tech help with irrigation frequency and leaching reduction. Nursery Management Pro. April 2011. pp. 16-20.
  • 20. van Iersel, M., S. Burnett, J. Lea-Cox, and P. Thomas. 2011. Improving irrigation with sensors. Greenhouse Management 31(9): 56-59.
  • 21. Barnard, D.M. and W.L. Bauerle. 2011. Variation in within canopy attenuation of wind speed in container grown trees: Measurement errors and their impact on canopy transpiration estimates. HortScience 46(9): S195.
  • 22. Barnard, D.M., A.B. Daniels, and W.L. Bauerle. 2011. Optimizing substrate moisture measurements in containerized nurseries: Insights on spatial and temporal variability. HortScience 46(9): S207.
  • 1. Majsztrik, J., A. G. Ristvey and J. D. Lea-Cox. 2011. Water and Nutrient Management in the Production of Container-Grown Ornamentals. J. Janick (Ed.). In: Hort. Reviews 38:253-297. John Wiley, NJ. USA.
  • 2. Bauerle, W.L. and J.D. Bowden. 2011. Predicting transpiration response to climate change: Insights on physiological and morphological interactions that modulate water exchange from leaves to canopies. HortScience 46:163-166.
  • 3. Bauerle, W.L. and J.D. Bowden. 2011. Separating foliar physiology from morphology reveals the relative roles of vertically structured transpiration factors within red maple crowns and limitations of larger scale models. J. Exp. Bot. 62:4295-4307.
  • 4. Crespo, J. M. and M.W. van Iersel. 2011. Performance of a soil moisture sensor-based landscape irrigation controller for automated irrigation of container-grown plants. HortScience 46:889-894.
  • 5. Kim, J, M.W. van Iersel and S.E. Burnett. 2011. Estimating daily water use of two petunia cultivars based on plant and environmental factors. HortScience 46:1287-1293.
  • 6. Kim, J. and M.W. van Iersel. 2011. Slowly-developing drought stress increases photosynthetic acclimation of Catharanthus roseus. Physiologia Plantarum 143:166-177. DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3054.2011.01493.x
  • 7. Lea-Cox, J. D., F. R. Arguedas-Rodriguez, A. G. Ristvey and D.S. Ross. 2011. Relating Real-time Substrate Matric Potential Measurements to Plant Water Use, for Precision Irrigation. Acta Hort. 891: 201-208.
  • 8. Lea-Cox, J. D., A. G. Ristvey, D.S. Ross and G. Kantor. 2011. Wireless Sensor Networks to Precisely Monitor Substrate Moisture and Electrical Conductivity Dynamics in a Cut-Flower Greenhouse Operation. Acta Hort. 893:1057-1063.
  • 9. van Iersel, M.W., S. Dove and S.E. Burnett. 2011. The use of soil moisture probes for improved uniformity and irrigation control in greenhouses. Acta Hort. 893:1049-1056.
  • 10. Kohanbash D., A. Valada and G. F. Kantor. 2011. Wireless Sensor Networks and Actionable Modeling for Intelligent Irrigation. Amer. Soc. Agric. Biol. Eng. 7-12th August, 2011. Louisville, KY. Paper #1111174. 7p.
  • 11. Wells. S., M. Chappell, J. Ruter, P. Thomas, and M. van Iersel. 2011. Monitoring substrate water content in nurseries: More efficient irrigation and reducing leaching and runoff. Amer. Soc. Agric. Biol. Eng. 7-12th August, 2011. Louisville, KY. Paper #1111254. 8p.
  • 12. Bayer, A., I. Mahbub, M. Chappell, J. Ruter, and M. van Iersel. 2011. Growth of Panama Red hibiscus in response to substrate water content. Proc. SNA Research Conf. 56:134-138.
  • 23. Bauerle, W.L. 2011. Separating foliar physiology from morphology reveals the relative roles of vertically structured transpiration factors within red maple crowns. HortScience 46(9): S146-147.
  • 24. Bayer, A. J.M. Ruter, M. Chappell, and M. van Iersel. 2011. Growth of Hibiscus acetosella Panama red in response to sensor controlled irrigation in two outdoor nursery settings. HortScience 46(9): S218.
  • 25. Kim, J., A. Malladi, and M. van Iersel. 2011. Gene expression and physiological responses of petunia at specific substrate water contents. HortScience 46(9): S105.
  • 26. Lea-Cox, J. D. 2011. Project Design with the End in Mind. HortScience 46(9): S72.
  • 27. Lea-Cox, J. D. 2011. Visualizing and Interpreting Large Sensor Datasets for Daily Specialty Crop Management Decisions. HortScience 46(9): S76.
  • 28. Lea-Cox, J. D. and J. C. Majsztrik. 2011. Considering the Value of Real-Time Sensor Information. HortScience 46(9): S210.
  • 29. Majsztrik, J., J. D. Lea-Cox, D. S. Ross and A. G. Ristvey. 2011. Modeling Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Water Dynamics in the Nursery and Greenhouse Industry. HortScience 46(9): S160-161.
  • 30. Majsztrik, J., J. D. Lea-Cox, D. S. Ross and A. G. Ristvey. 2011. An In-Depth Analysis of Water and Nutrient Management in the Nursery and Greenhouse Industry in Maryland. HortScience 46(9): S220-221.
  • 31. O'Meara, L., M. van Iersel, M. Chappell. 2011. Water consumption of Hydrangea macrophylla as affected by environmental factors. HortScience 46(9): S219.
  • 32. Peter A., R. Soranz Ferrarezi, P.A. Thomas , M. van Iersel. 2011. In situ measurements of the electrical conductivity of substrates: the relationship between bulk EC, pore water EC, and substrate water content. HortScience 46(9): 198-199.
  • 33. Peter A., P.A. Thomas, and M. van Iersel. 2011. Growth of petunia as affected by substrate moisture content and fertilizer rate. HortScience 46(9): S295-296.
  • 34. Soranz Ferrarezi R., M. van Iersel, and R. Tezteslaf. 2011. Soil moisture sensors for monitoring and controlling subirrigation: a case study with hibiscus. HortScience 46(9): S302.
  • 35. Thomas, P.A., M. Chappell, J.M. Ruter, S. Dove and M. van Iersel. 2011. Monitoring environmental conditions and substrate water content for more efficient irrigation in nurseries. HortScience 46(9): S218.
  • 36. van Iersel, M. 2011. Publish or perish: trials, tribulations, and triumphs. HortScience 46(9): S72.
  • 37. Lea-Cox, J.D. and C. Zhao, 2011. Smart-farms: Managing Irrigation and Nutrients via Distributed Sensing - The Specialty Crops Research Initiative Project Website and Knowledge Center http://smart-farms.net
  • 38. Lea-Cox, J. D., T. Rhodus, L. Brewer and M. Neff, 2011. American Society for Horticultural Science: Center for Horticultural Impact Statements. http://ashsmedia.org
  • 39. Lea-Cox, J. D., G.A. Kantor, Bauerle, W.L., M. van Iersel, C. Campbell, T. Bauerle, D.S. Ross, A. Ristvey, D. Parker, D. King, R. Bauer, S. Cohan, P.A. Thomas, J.M. Ruter, M. Chappell, S. Kampf, M.A. Lefsky, L. Bissey, and T. Martin. 2011. Increasing the Efficiency of Irrigation Water Applications with Smart Sensor Technology. American Society for Horticultural Science: Center for Horticultural Impact Statements. http://ashsmedia.org/p=62


Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The SCRI-MINDS group has made significant progress during the first year, and almost all aspects of the project are on track or ahead of schedule. The following accomplishments are detailed in this report: A. Project Management: (1) Specific working group objectives for year 1 and future years were discussed and developed at the first annual group meeting in January 2010; (2) Financial and matching accountability procedures and systems were established and implemented; all subcontracts are invoicing and reporting match on a quarterly basis; (3) A virtual workspace (Traction) was established for working group discussions and project management purposes; (4) A project website (http://www.smart-farms.net) was established to communicate project goals, participants and general reporting to the public. B. Research Sites and Grower Sensor Networks: (1) Eight University research sites (three at Maryland; three at Georgia; one at Colorado State and one at Cornell) were established to support intensive scientific research projects. Most of these sites are highly sensored to provide a level of replication and precision that is not possible with on-farm networks; (2) Sensor networks of varying size and complexity were installed in seven commercial nurseries in Maryland (3), Tennessee (1), Ohio (1) and Georgia (2). These networks are already providing managers with information that is enabling more precise irrigation scheduling and having positive impacts on water use and crop growth (see outcomes and impacts, below). C. Hardware and Software Development: (1) The design of the next-generation CMU/Decagon sensor node that will allow for both monitoring and control has been completed; The first prototype units are being manufactured and will be ready for deployment in March, 2011; (2) The engineering group provided significant site support for various project networks, both at university research sites and commercial nurseries; (3) An improved web-based graphic user interface (software GUI) was developed to provide access to the current generation CMU and Decagon networks; this GUI is under continuous development and is helping facilitate model development; (4) A framework that will allow for the clean interface of the plant models with the sensor network data was developed. D. Model Development: (1) The system architecture for the first model (Petunia) was developed and the model parameterized. This model is currently being validated by the University of Georgia team. 2) The model inputs for the MAESTRA-based tree models were parameterized. E. Economic Research: (1) The economic team reviewed the relevant literature and outlined potential methodologies, methods of analysis and related software for performing analyses and presenting results; (2) Developed a preliminary economic and environmental profile of the overall industry; (3) Interviewed and collaborated with industry partners to develop a reasonable strategy for defining and surveying the relevant segments of the industry; (4) Designed a set of three survey instruments to use during Year 2 to develop subsector-level and establishment level impact analysis. PARTICIPANTS: The key project personnel, their roles and responsibilities are as follows: A. University of Maryland (1) Dr. John Lea-Cox (PI): Overall Project Management; (2) Dr. Andrew Ristvey: Green Roof Project Management; (3) Dr. Steven Cohan: Green Roof deployment and evaluation (4) Dr. David Ross: Engineering issues (5) Dr. Doug Parker: Economic and benefit-cost analysis; (6) Dr. Dennis King: Environmental and Issues Analysis; Environmental impacts of changed practices and barriers to adoption; B. Carnegie Mellon University (1) Dr. George Kantor: Sensor network (hardware) development; GUI software development; (2) Mr. David Kohanbash: Engineering Specialist; GUI software development; C. Colorado State University (1) Dr. Bill Bauerle: Integration of sensing data with plant environmental models (2) Dr. Michael Lefsky: lidar specialist; remote lidar data capture and analysis; (3) Dr. Stephanie Kampf: Hydrologist - Analysis of variation in water content in soils and substrates; D. Cornell University: (1) Dr. Taryn Bauerle: Characterization of root structure attributes and morphological adaptation of root E. University of Georgia: (1) Dr. Marc van Iersel: Physiological Research; GUI software development; (2) Dr. Paul Thomas: Physiological Research; software development; (3) Dr. Matthew Chappell: Sensor Network deployment and evaluation; Implementation and day-to-day interaction with partners (test site networks); (4) Dr. John Ruter: Physiological Research; Sensor Network deployment and evaluation F. Decagon Devices, Inc. (1) Dr. Colin Campbell: Data analysis; Project Administration and Reporting (2) Ms. Lauren Bissey: Sensor network (hardware) development; Hardware support and troubleshooting with industry partners (test site networks G. Antir Software, LLC. (1) Mr. Richard Bauer: Project Management; Crop Model software development; H. Grower Partners / Advisory Panel Members. (1) Mr. Charles Bauers: Bauers Greenhouses, Jarrettsville, MD (2) Mr. Steve Black Raemelton Farm, Adamstown, MD (3) Mr. Jerry Faulring: Waverley Farm, Adamstown, MD (4) Mr. Terry Hines: Hale and Hines Nursery, McMinnville, TN (5) Mr. Tom Demaline: Willoway Nursery, Avon, OH (6) Mr. Chris McCorkle: McCorkle Nursery, Dearing, GA (7) Mr. Will Ross: Evergreen Nursery, Athens GA (8) Mr. Gregory Long: Capitol Green Roofs, Arlington, VA (9) Mr. Todd Martin: Decagon Devices, Inc. Pullman, WA (10) Dr. Nick Place: Associate Dean of Extension, University of Maryland. College Park, MD (11) Dr. Bruce Bugbee: Professor, Crop Physiology, Utah State University and CEO, Apogee Instruments, Inc., Logan UT. (12) Mr. Marc Teffeau: Director, Research and Regulatory Affairs, Horticultural Research Institute; American Nursery and Landscape Association, Washington, DC. TARGET AUDIENCES: As a Coordinated Agricultural Specialty Crops Research Initiative Project, we are focused on delivering a commercial wireless sensor network capable of supporting the intensive production system requirements of field nurseries, container nurseries, greenhouse operations and green roof systems. The global goals of this project are (1) to provide a more integrative and mechanistic understanding of plant water requirements, spanning from micro-scale (e.g. plant level) to macro-scale (e.g. whole production site) for irrigation and nutrient management and (2) to quantify private and public economic benefits of this technology. The project is integrated across various scales of production by using small and large commercial test sites which allow us to take a systems approach to identify the micro- to macro-scale answers underlying nursery, greenhouse, and green roof irrigation management. An economic, environmental and social analysis will identify cost and benefits to the industry and society as well as barriers to adoption of this new technology. The project structure allows us to engage the industry collaborators on a day-to-day basis to ensure product satisfaction of the next generation of hardware and software developed by our commercial partners. The short and long-term goals of this project are to: 1. Develop and commercialize advanced wireless sensor networks and customizable software to meet the monitoring and control requirements for irrigation at a species level; 2. Determine the performance and utility of moisture and EC sensors for precision irrigation and nutrient management; 3. Address spatial and temporal variability issues to optimize the numbers of sensors; 4. Integrate micro-scale data with macro-scale models to predict short-term plant water use in various environments; provide real-time storm water runoff data from green roofs, to model system efficiency; 5. Quantify improvements in water and nutrient management, nutrient runoff, plant quality, and yield; 6. Evaluate the private and public economic and environmental impacts of precision sensor-controlled practices; identify barriers to adoption and implementation of these practices; 7. Engage growers and the industry in the operation, benefits and current limitations of the sensor / modeling approach to irrigation management; 8. Develop strategies and better management practices for irrigation and nutrient management monitoring, by working with growers with on-farm networks, to innovate and capture needs-based issues; 9. Provide web-based educational materials, focusing on the pros and cons of sensors networks, and the strategies, economics and impacts of this research; 10. Train undergraduate and graduate students in science and engineering. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
(1) Sensor networks were used to actively schedule irrigations at Bauers Greenhouse, Waverley and Raemelton Farms, Hale and Hines and Evergreen Nurseries on a consistent basis during 2010. Changes in irrigation practice were implemented based upon these monitoring data, resulting in considerable water savings; (2) In the case of Raemelton Farm (MD), showing that young transplants did not require as much water as thought allowed for the re-allocation of scarce water resources to a 10-acre block of trees that would not have been irrigated in this drought; (3) Modifying rain gauges to catch leachate from pot-in-pot production at Hale and Hines nursery (TN) allowed for the precise monitoring of daily water applications, and the instantaneous calculation of daily tree water use by red maple trees; (4) Volumetric water content data has allowed Charles Bauers (Bauers Greenhouse, MD) to reduce numbers of irrigations each day, which has reduced the incidence of post-harvest botrytis and increased the percentage of prime quality snapdragon cut-flowers during summer months (a target metric); (5) Monitoring of vapor pressure deficit (a "virtual" sensor measurement) was achieved at Bauers using new prototype graphic user interface software, developed by the engineering team; (6) Monitoring of volumetric water content at Evergreen Nursery (GA) actually resulted in increased irrigation water applications. The growth of Gaura lindheimeri plants was more uniform and time to flowering shortened, giving Will Ross the confidence to use sensor networks on a larger scale; (7) Reductions in irrigation volumes resulting in reduced crop losses of Gardenia due to root disease at McCorkles Nursery in GA; (8) Intensive measurements of ten indicator species were taken at Willoway Nursery (OH) in order to define parameters for the Macroscale MAESTRA model; (9) Computerized tomography (CT) scans were done at Cornell of the root systems of the same species, to provide sequential non-destructive measurements of root growth and development; (10) A green roof research site with 18 replicate platforms has been installed and intensively sensored at the University of Maryland and is already providing stormwater runoff and substrate temperature data; (11) Each research team can remotely login to the irrigation sensor networks at the various nursery and greenhouse operations, to monitor the data in real-time. This greatly facilitates dialogue with the owner/managers and a continuous two-way learning process between researchers and practitioners.

Publications

  • Kim, J. and M.W. van Iersel. 2010. Photosynthesis and water use of vinca (Catharanthus roseus) during drought: the effect of different drying rates. Proceedings of the SNA research conference 55:114-120.
  • Lea-Cox, J. D., A. G. Ristvey, D.S. Ross and G. Kantor. 2010. Wireless Sensor Networks to Precisely Monitor Substrate Moisture and Electrical Conductivity Dynamics in a Cut-Flower Greenhouse Operation. Acta Horticulturae (In Press).
  • Lea-Cox, J. D., F. R. Arguedas-Rodriguez, A. G. Ristvey and D.S. Ross. 2010. Relating Real-time Substrate Matric Potential Measurements to Plant Water Use, for Precision Irrigation. Acta Horticulturae (In Press)
  • Lea-Cox, J.D., G.F. Kantor, W.L. Bauerle, M. van Iersel, C. Campbell, T.L. Bauerle, D.S. Ross, A.G. Ristvey, D. Parker, D. King, R. Bauer, S. M. Cohan, P. Thomas, J.M. Ruter, M. Chappell, M. Lefsky, S. Kampf and L. Bissey. 2010. A Specialty Crops Research Project: Using Wireless Sensor Networks and Crop Modeling for Precision Irrigation and Nutrient Management in Nursery, Greenhouse and Green Roof Systems. Proc. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. 55: 211-214.
  • Majsztrik, J., J. D. Lea-Cox, A. G. Ristvey and D. S. Ross. 2010. Modeling Water and Nutrient Runoff from Nursery and Greenhouse Operations in Maryland : Preliminary Statistics. Proc. Southern Nursery Assoc. Res. Conf. 55:215-220.
  • Miralles Crespo, J, and M. van Iersel. 2010. Automated control of water content and electrical conductivity in soilless substrates: proof of concept Proceedings of the SNA research conference 55:367-373.
  • Miralles, J., M.W. van Iersel, and Banon, S. 2010. Development of irrigation and fertigation control using 5TE soil moisture, electrical conductivity and temperature sensors. The Third International Symposium on Soil Water Measurement Using Capacitance, Impedance and TDT (2010, Murcia, Spain), Applications, Paper 2.10, p. 1-9.
  • van Iersel, M.W., S. Dove and S.E. Burnett. 2010. The use of soil moisture probes for improved uniformity and irrigation control in greenhouses. Acta Horticulturae (in press).
  • van Iersel, M.W. and S.E. Burnett. 2010. Plant water use and drought stress physiology: Manipulating irrigation for efficient water use and high quality plants. Proceedings of the Taiwan USA Symposium on Technology of Cultivation and Molecular Breeding for Ornamental Crops. T.-F. Hsieh, T.-E. Dai and L.-J. Wang (eds.) Special publication of TARI No. 145. p. 31-54.
  • Burnett. S., K. Garland, and M. van Iersel. 2010. Water requirements. Greenhouse Grower 28(4): 24, 25, 27.
  • Lea-Cox, J.D. and C. Zhao, 2009. Smart-farms: Managing Irrigation and Nutrients via Distributed Sensing - The Specialty Crops Research Initiative Project Website http://smart-farms.net
  • Lea-Cox, J. D., G. F. Kantor, W. L. Bauerle, M. van Iersel, C. Campbell, T. Bauerle, D. S. Ross, A. G. Ristvey, D. T. Parker, D. M. King, R. Bauer, S. Cohan, P. Thomas, J. Ruter, M. Chappell. M. Lefsky, S. Kampf and L. Bissey. 2009. A Major Specialty Crops Research Initiative Grant Award for the University of Maryland. Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association. FreeState Nursery News 23(3): 14-15. http://mnlaonline.org/documents/2009-winter.pdf
  • van Iersel, M., S. Burnett, and J. Kim. 2010. How much water do your plants really need Greenhouse Management and Production 30(3): 26, 28, 29.
  • van Iersel, M. and M. Chappell. 2009. Using soil moisture sensors to control irrigation in a production setting. Georgia Green Industry Association Journal 20(4): 23.
  • Bauerle W.L. 2010. Predicting transpiration response to climate change: Insights on physiological and morphological interactions that modulate water exchange from leaves to canopies. HortScience 45(8): S14.
  • Bauerle W.L. 2010. Mechanistic models: Application in basic and applied woody ornamental water relations research. HortScience 45(8): S46.
  • Kim, J. and M. van Iersel. 2010. Slowly developing drought stress increases photosynthetic acclimation of Catharanthus roseus. HortScience 45(8):S64.
  • Kim, J., S. Burnett and M. van Iersel. 2010. Daily water requirements of poinsettias as a function of plant age and environmental conditions. HortScience 45(8):S297.
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