understanding variation will reduce your water costs
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UNDERSTANDING VARIATION WILL REDUCE YOUR WATER COSTS. ANDY BROWN TORO EUROPE. Precision Turf Management. Variability in site conditions is the challenge - understanding & managing variability is the key to precision irrigation management - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
UNDERSTANDING VARIATION WILL REDUCE YOUR WATER
COSTS
UNDERSTANDING VARIATION WILL REDUCE YOUR WATER
COSTS
ANDY BROWNTORO EUROPE
Precision Turf ManagementPrecision Turf Management
• Variability in site conditions is the challenge - understanding & managing variability is the key to precision irrigation management
• Different conditions require different irrigation regimes to maximize efficiency
1) Soil texture & organic matter – primary determinants of “water holding capacity” (i.e. size of the tank)
2) Soil compaction – affects infiltration rate & WHC3) Topographic relief – slope steepness, aspect, depressions, high points (knobs);
affects infiltration rate & runoff (slope) and surface evaporation (aspect)4) Microclimate – shade, air movement, temperature
The aim is to produce management zones with similar characteristics and needs
• Areas with similar characteristics that call for similar management inputs
AA
A
CC
C
BB
B
Site Specific Management Units
• SSMU’s based on soil moisture distribution, topography and turf performance.
• Soil moisture (Time Delay Reflectometry)• Soil salinity (conductance)• Soil compaction (penetrometer)• Turf quality (reflectance sensor)• Topographic relief (GPS elevation)
Agronomic Site Assessment Using Toro’s PrecisionSense™ mobile mapping system
~ 850 data points~ 45 min.~ 850 data points~ 45 min.
Sampling patternSampling pattern
+ Soil compaction+ Soil compaction
0-70 PSI
70-140
140-210
210-280
280-350
350-420
420-490
490-560
560-630
630-700
> 700
Soil Compaction(Insertion force, PSI)
Low
High
< .69
.69 - .72
.72 - .75
.75 - .78
.78 - .81
.81 - .84
.84 - .87
.87 - .90
> .90
Turf Vigor (NDVI)
Low
High+ Turf Vigor+ Turf Vigor
Irrigation management zones are identified from an analysis of site data layers. Each zone represents areas of the golf course with similar characteristics requiring the same irrigation treatment.
< 25%
25 - 30%
30 - 35%
35 - 40%
40 - 45%
45 - 50%
50 - 55%
55 - 60%
60 - 65%
> 65%
Soil Moisture(Volumetric Water Content)
Soil moistureSoil moisture
+ Topography+ Topography
Site Specific Irrigation Management:
Irrigation Management Zones
Low VWC
High VWC
Irrigation management zones defined using GIS methods
Soil Moisture Sensing
Soil Moisture Sensing
• Turf Guard • Soil moisture• Soil temperature• Soil Salinity
– Real time information sent directly to your PC– Updates every 5 mins– Wireless– Easy to install
Sensor Installation
1) In-ground wireless sensors1) In-ground wireless sensors
4) Which talks to a base station with internet connection in maintenance facility
4) Which talks to a base station with internet connection in maintenance facility
2) Talk to radio repeaters in satellites(500 ft. range)
2) Talk to radio repeaters in satellites(500 ft. range)
3) Which talk to another repeater across the golf course(5000 ft. range)
3) Which talk to another repeater across the golf course(5000 ft. range)
5) Which uploads data for web-based viewing & analysis
5) Which uploads data for web-based viewing & analysis
Turf Guard Communications
Where do you put them?
Where do you put them?
• Use your own course knowledge• Identify indicator locations• Use PrecisionSense to identify areas
with similar characteristics• Carry out an irrigation efficiency
audit
Turf Guard …Turf Guard …
• Allows superintendents to know what is happening at the root zone of their course 24-hours a day
• Automatically keeps a record of historical agronomic data
• Provides scientific information to manage their course
• Provides confirmation that their instructions are followed
• Facilitates micro-control of irrigation decisions
Old Collier GCBonita Springs, Florida
• Seashore paspalum• Brackish irrigation source
Turf Guard Data Interface
General FAQGeneral FAQ
How many sensors do I need?– It is course specificper green.
How few can I start with?– We recommend a minimum of 6
What happens during aerification?– You must flag the sensors and aerify around them a direct
hit with an aerifier will most likely destroy the sensor
How do I find the sensors?– Using a basic metal detector.
How long does it take to install a starter system?– A 3 hole system can be installed in under 2 hours
When can I see the data?– Typically we wait 24-hours
More InformationMore Information
• http://www.toro.com/irrigation/golf/turfguard/micro/index.html
Understanding the variability of • soils• topography • micro climate
through the use of technology and experience will help you manage your resources more efficiently AND produce a better playing surface.