PureSense: Fresno State University finds that real-time irrigation management technology helps farmers become more drought resistant

FRESNO, Calif., Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at Fresno State's Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) have completed two years of field studies which found higher water use efficiency and crop productivity when real-time irrigation management technology was used. The kind of technology used in this research, in this case PureSense's IMField technology, can help growers produce more crop for the amount of water and energy used.

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With record-setting dry conditions throughout California, and forecasted across many other parts of the country, PureSense's IMField technology shows it can help farmers determine the optimum irrigation strategy, make adjustments when warranted and track the success of the irrigation management throughout the production season.

"This type of technology provides valuable information that helps us improve scheduling of irrigations by altering the timing and duration of events to maximize plant response and decrease stress," says CIT project leader Bill Green. "It takes some of the guesswork out of knowing when and how long you should irrigate to maximize yield."

The 2013 research was performed on test and control blocks of almonds and peaches located on the Fresno State farm. The independent field trial research by CIT reported:

• 5% increase in water use efficiency for almonds (lbs. of nuts/ gallon of water)
• 6% increase in net revenues per acre across all almond varieties (based on estimated nut prices for 2014)
• 10% higher non-Pareil almond production yield (processed lbs. of nuts/ acre)
• 7% higher July Flame Peach production yield (25 lb. box equivalents/ acre)
• 12% increase in net revenues per acre for Non-Pareil almonds (based on estimated nut prices for 2014)
• 13% increase in larger July Flame Peach size fruit

"A six percent gain could translate into nearly $1.3M in increased revenue per 1,000 acres of almonds grown by California farmers," remarked David Jamison, Chief Agronomist with PureSense.  "Statewide, this could yield over $150 million per year in new almond revenue."

"We are very happy that CIT was able to not only perform this study but confirm our own customer data which shows improvements in crop production through increased water and energy efficiency," said Mr. David Termondt, CEO of PureSense.  "We have examined the changes in irrigation practices by our growers over time and found, on average, an increase in water use efficiency ranging from 5% to 20%.  We are confident that technology like ours will help farmers become better insulated from current drought events."

In May 2013, PureSense guaranteed new customers that if they bought their product last year, and didn't see improvements crop production, water and energy efficiency, they would get their money back.  To learn more about PureSense's IMField technology, visit us at http://www.puresense.com/introduction. 

About PureSense
PureSense (www.PureSense.com) is the premier real-time irrigation intelligence company providing remote monitoring, control and decision support tools to the agricultural industry. Since 2006, PureSense has provided useful, innovative technology and unparalleled service and support to over 400 growers in US (across 10 states) and Mexico. PureSense brings value to growers by empowering growers to make better irrigation decisions that enhance crop yield, crop health and reduce cost. In addition, PureSense soil moisture and water pump monitoring and control solutions enable growers to leap forward in efforts to achieve resource sustainability goals.

SOURCE PureSense