A patented microelectrical mechanical systems (MEMS) device promises to boost Australia’s $3 billion (Australian) wine industry by predicting water needs and disease risk in growing vines.

Developed by Australia's Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for microTechnology and Motorola, the 4mm square chip is ideal for micro-climate measuring compared to traditional, much larger sensors, according to the device's developers. The devices are capable of measuring wind speed and direction, temperature, light, humidity, as well as soil moisture and leaf wetness. The chip is equipped with wireless capability to allow it to report data to a central computer.

"The sensor nodes are distributed across a vineyard and send their information by wireless link," says CRC microTechnology chief executive Clive Davenport. "They can be laid out in any pattern so long as each sensor is within radio range of at least one other. This means the network can be designed to suit individual farm layout and topography. New sensors can be added or removed as needed."

The primary target of the sensors is the fungal rot Botrytis, described as the scourge of the southern Australian grape growing industry. By warning of conditions favorable to the growth of Botrytis, the sensor enables the grower to take preventative action, targeting the areas most at risk and thus avoiding heavy losses and also reducing the use of chemicals, the developers claim.

The sensor is also equipped with a soil moisture meter that allows the grower to plan irrigations according to the needs of the crop, leading to potentially large savings in water and reduced risk of salinity.

The soil moisture array consists of three sensor modules buried at different depths in the soil. Being low-cost and easy to install, according to Davenport, the soil moisture sensors will bring precision irrigation scheduling within the reach of many grape growers, leading to "potentially massive water savings" across the industry, he said.

"While other climate sensors are available, they cost thousands of dollars, which puts them beyond the reach of the typical grower." Davenport says. "Our sensors will cost only a fraction of that, making irrigation scheduling a reality for the wider farming community."

The sensor and similar technologies will be showcased at a conference called Converging Technologies in Agriculture and the Environment to be held in Melbourne, Australia from August 9th though the 12th.

By: DocMemory
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