P.E.I. scientist develops calculator to help farmers schedule irrigation

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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Agriculture and Agri-Meals Canada Analysis scientist Yefang Jiang has spent the final 4 years learning water administration on P.E.I. farms as a part of a Dwelling Lab Atlantic undertaking. 

His analysis led him to create an online calculator that can assist P.E.I. farmers schedule their irrigation course of to keep away from too little or an excessive amount of water. 

In the course of the rising season, rainfall varies considerably, starting from an sufficient quantity for crops to generally exceeding their wants. At instances, the dry season arrives, leaving farmers unsure concerning the obligatory irrigation quantities. 

It creates a problem for farmers to provide constant high quality crops. Jiang has spent years growing an answer, he mentioned. 

“So, the motivation for us to develop this, just a few growers wish to mitigate these adverse impacts by even water distribution.” 

Jiang studied how scheduling supplemental irrigation, solely when the crop wants it, impacted potato yields on a number of P.E.I. farms from 2019 to 2022. In these years, a part of his analysis centered on soil moisture. 

“There are just a few elements we’ve got to think about. The important thing one is the soil. There is a vary of soil moisture that the crops can develop optimally and if the water falls outdoors that vary and it will possibly harm the crop.” 

He used a soil sensor to assist decide soil moisture, one thing he mentioned most P.E.I. farmers don’t use. 

“They schedule irrigation by expertise, by simply watching the soil, how dry it’s utilizing fingers testing. We’re utilizing the sensor in order that we all know the edge, the bottom moisture and highest moisture.” 

The analysis was performed on farms in P.E.I.

Jiang famous that the years 2019-2020 had been dry, compelling farmers to resort to supplemental irrigation. He measured the soil moisture to establish the exact water requirement, aiming to stop extreme or too little irrigation. 

Consequently, he noticed a big enhance in yields. 

Jiang mentioned that the majority farmers have a tendency to make use of a constant quantity of water for irrigating their potatoes yearly, resulting in inconsistent yields as a result of they do not adequately take into consideration elements akin to rainfall, soil moisture, and development levels. 

“It isn’t simply eight inches of water yearly, no. Some years, you want solely two. Some you want solely three. So lots of them do not put all these elements collectively, and naturally, they don’t seem to be going to see a constant response. So, they did it for a few years. They did not see a constant response. And so they wish to see constant response.” 

The web calculator which is at the moment being up to date yearly will assist farmers streamline the experimental course of. Jiang mentioned he has carried out the analysis and is aware of what works.  

“In the event that they get constant outcomes, they will be completely happy. In case you do not see constant yields, one yr, you get $30,000, one other yr you’re going to get $40,000. And you do not know which elements create a distinction. However now, when you use this calculator, you are certain that the water is nicely managed. So, one variable is beneath the management.” 

Greg Donald, normal supervisor of the P.E.I. Potato Board mentioned the calculator is a superb change for potato farmers. The calculator hasn’t been experimented with but due to the fixed rainfall this yr, he mentioned.  

“We solely irrigate when we have to. And this yr, for instance, we have not wanted any irrigation. They have not wanted a calculator and even wanted any water, as a result of we have had all types of rain, as . Similar factor the yr earlier than final yr. So, the final couple of years. We have not needed to put it to a superb check.” 

“I can assure you that subsequent yr, perhaps we may have little or no rain and we’ll want irrigation. That is the place a instrument like this will likely be useful, or perhaps a yr in between the place we’ve got some rain after which just a few weeks of dry climate.” 

The calculator is completely for potato farmers on P.E.I. They will enter their soil kind, the potato crop’s development stage, present soil moisture degree, seven-day rainfall forecast, and irrigation system effectivity within the calculator. 

It then suggests exact irrigation quantities in millimetres and inches or signifies no want for irrigation if the crop has enough moisture.  

Vivian Ulinwa is a reporter with SaltWire in Prince Edward Island. She may be reached by electronic mail at [email protected].