The EO methodology for mapping crop water requirements in a pixel by pixel basis is mature and operational by using FAO56 and soil water balance model, in combination with biophysical crop parameters and meteorological data. Consolidation of this approach will be the first step to do, including the implementation of algorithms for separating soil evaporation and canopy transpiration. The improved spectral resolution of new generation of sensors will be exploited to enhance existing methodologies. The forward step is to produce crop water requirements predictions for the next week (maps), which is a very practical product for users in addition to the estimates for the past week. Numerical weather prediction model outputs can be efficiently applied for retrieving reliable forecasts of the reference evapotranspiration, needed for optimization of the irrigation scheduling at farm level. To this end, distributed short term forecasting of relevant meteorological data (from global or high-‐resolution limited area numerical weather prediction models) can be used as input in the above mentioned crop evapotranspiration models. Having the knowledge of crop water requirements, irrigation can be supplied either to satisfy full requirements, or either to manage a deficit controlled irrigation. Soil moisture measurements will provide all the adequate data to verify, through the soil water balance, the quality of the products.
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Agricultural run-off and subsurface drainage tiles transport a significant amount of nitrogen and phosphorus leached after fertilization. alchemia-nova GmbH in collaboration with University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna developed two multi-layer vertical filter systems to address the agricultural run-off issue, which has been installed on the slope of an agricultural field in Mistelbach, Austria. While another multi-layer addressing subsurface drainage water is implemented in Gleisdorf, Austria. The goal is to develop a drainage filter system to retain water and nutrients. Both multi-layer filter systems contain biochar and other substrates with adsorption properties of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus). The filter system can be of practical use if an excess of nutrients being washed out is of concern in the fields of the practitioner by keeping the surrounding waters clean. This approach may result in economic value by re-using the saturated biochar as fertilizer and improving the soil structure, thus increasing long-term soil fertility. Link: https://wateragri.eu/a-bio-inspired-multilayer-drainage-system/
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No 858735This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No 858735. FACTSHEET NANOCELLULOSE MEMBRANES FOR NUTRIENT RECOVERY Key information Functionalized nanocellulose membranes can take up nitrate and phosphate. These membranes can be put in a water treatment unit. As the membranes are biobased, degradable materials, they can after use be added to the soil, thus returning the leached nutrients back for their original purpose providing fertilizers (nutrient recycling).
Because variables such as temperature and humidity have a profound effect on the activity of crop pests, diseases and natural enemies, the ability to monitor environmental conditions within a crop has always been important for crop protection.