Irrigators can get clues from space and ground

Information collected by satellites is reliable and likely to play an increasing part in irrigation planning.

This is indicated by research such as that undertaken by Flinders University of SA student Claire Williams who has investigated relationships between a comprehensive set of crop water measurements and satellite images.

It has been shown that canopy cover of an entire orchard or vineyard can be estimated from satellite data. Importantly, measurements of different wave lengths of light, including near infra red, are linked to the rates of crop photosynthesis and water use.

A scholarship funded by the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation has supported the study of how well satellite information on the crop canopy correlates with measurements of crop water use. Under supervision of Caecilia Ewenz, a lecturer in meteorology and environmental science, and Rob Stevens of the South Australian Research and Development Institute, experience was gained in interpretation of remote sensing data and ground-based measurements of water use in an almond orchard and a vineyard near Loxton.

“The ground-truthing has been very positive, showing a strong correlation with actual situations in the vineyard and orchard,” Claire Williams said. “Not only does it seem that satellite imagery can play in increasing part in irrigation scheduling, particularly with the detail and resolution improving all the time, but it is possible that remote sensing can combine with on-site measurements to improve the way we calculate crop coefficients.”

National Program for Sustainable Irrigation program manager Guy Roth says the short period projects undertaken by scholarship recipients can produce valuable information for producers in irrigated agriculture.

“Another important outcome is the increased familiarity of students with science and the industry, which hopefully will encourage interest in pursuing careers in irrigation research,” he said.

Each year the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation provides four scholarships, each valued at $6,000, to students completing the senior year of their university studies.

Claire Williams (left) is pictured with supervisor Caecilia Ewenz

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2010. Irrigators can get clues from space and ground. [Online] (Updated March 29th, 2010)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/3740 [Accessed Tuesday 26th of April 2011 04:39:31 PM ].