FLOW-AID Project

Delta-T is proud to announce its involvement in FLOW-AID, a multi-partner EU funded development project for improving water use efficiency in agriculture. FLOW-AID is an acronym standing for "Farm Level Optimal Water Management: Assistant for Irrigation under Deficit".

FLOW-AID test site near Tahtali in Turkey.

The project aims to apply an integrated approach to irrigation scheduling and farm management in regions where the supply or quality of water is low. This problem is becoming more widespread and intense, particularly in Mediterranean countries. Products and systems developed during the three year project will be rigorously tested at sites in four Mediterranean countries: Turkey, Italy, Lebanon and Jordan. These sites pose different challenges in terms of water supply and availability, water quality, run-off constraints, infrastructure and crop types. The system developed in FLOW-AID must take all these into account, balancing single farm and regional requirements for limited resource.

Already Delta-T has been able to supply the test sites with the GP1 Data Logger/Irrigation Monitor, each connected to SM200 Soil Moisture Sensors, the WET Sensor (for the measurement of soil water content, temperature, and EC), a flow meter and a solenoid valve within the irrigation system controlled by the GP1's programmable relay.

Each zone instrumented in this way is able to schedule irrigation in response to the water requirements of the plants through the monitoring of soil water. This means that irrigating with poor quality 'grey' water is possible in areas where any surface water run-off or ground water pollution is strictly prohibited. The precise control possible with the GP1 means that over-watering can be avoided while optimal root zone soil moisture levels are maintained.

In addition to improving irrigation management and decision making at farm level, any systems developed in FLOW-AID must maintain or improve crop yield and also the crop's commercial value. These are both key considerations if such technology (and the associated environmental benefits) are to be adopted more widely.

Further information on Flow-Aid, please click here.