Workflow

Water-Use Efficiency

HOW OPTI-FILTER TECHNOLOGY OPTIMIZES WATER-USE EFFICIENCY

Opti-Filter™’s optimized light environment is detected by the crop canopy and conveyed to the root system as positive signals to thrive – producing more active, efficient, productive, and healthy crops with:

  • +50% mitigation of plant daily water stress
  • Better developed and more active root system
  • Increased carbohydrate storage to be used in the following year
  • More efficient uptake of water and nutrients from the soil
  • More active and viable canopy producing more fruit per tree and increased fruit size with the same irrigation
  • Increased photosynthetic uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere

Over 6 years of consistent research results demonstrate, regardless of type of Opti-Unit, crop, cultivar, age, geographical location:

  • Increased production with same irrigation in mature orchards and vineyards
  • Accelerated growth with same irrigation in newly planted trees and vines
  • Reduced daily water stress detected by trunk sensors (Phytech dendrometers)
  • Better developed and more active root system with 30% higher root density detected by root excavation and by Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

IMPROVED WATER-USE EFFICIENCY FIELD PERFORMANCE

OPTI-PANELS

GRAPES

UC DAVIS RESEARCH:  OPTI-PANELS & REDUCED IRRIGATION ON WINE GRAPES

Opti-Harvest has embarked on a research collaboration with the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) to develop new ways of growing wine grapes and pistachio under harsh drought and climate conditions.  The exciting findings from this seminal research on Opti-Panels’ heat protection and water savings benefits for wine grapes in Napa show that:

  1. Using Opti-Panels, growers can reduce irrigation by 75% (25% ETc) during August and still maintain a consistently higher carbon assimilation and stomata conductance, and significantly reduce berry over-exposure to heat and the sun’s radiation.
  2. Opti-Panels increased total skin anthocyanin by 21%, and arrested berry skin flavonoid degradation.
  3. Opti-Panels did not compromise yield.

Altogether, our research collaboration addresses critical aspects of sustainable agriculture including optimal light manipulation to improve production and quality of fruit, efficient use of water in grape production and cost-effective canopy management practices. Together with the UC Davis research team we are creating a cutting-edge, Climate Smart technology that improves berry composition, increases berry anthocyanin content, and maintains yield without having to increase irrigation in hot climates or during frequent heat waves.

CITRUS

OPTI-SHIELDS

Opti-Shields induce smaller Manual Daily Shrinkage (MDS) value, indicative of reduced daily water stress and better tree-water-use-efficiency throughout most of the year.

Improved water-use efficiency by the tree is related to the better-developed and more efficient root system in Opti-Shield-treated trees.

CITRUS

TREE NUTS

OPTI-GRO

Maximum Daily Shrinkage (MDS) is widely used as an indicator of water stress derived from trunk diameter fluctuations in plants and has been reported to be one of the earliest signs in the detection of water stress. Lower values of MDS correspond to lower degrees of heat and water stress. Less stress equates to stronger, healthier plants that develop more complex root, stem and canopy structures and can therefore support heavier crop loads with the same amount of irrigation.

Compared to common practices, we estimate that the use of Opti-Gro results in 25-50% savings in fertigation (water and nutrient) and electricity required to pump water for irrigation.

TABLE GRAPES

WINE GRAPES

Opti-Gro reduced water stress in newly planted ‘Chardonnay’ vines by 20%. This approximates to about 10-20% water (and power) savings.

Opti-Gro prolongs shoot growth and mitigates daily water stress in newly planted ‘Chardonnay’ in Philo, Mendocino County. Vines were planted in early 2022 and Opti-Gro Units installed in July 2022. Shoot growth was monitored throughout the trial period. -Gro reduces vine water stress (measured as stem water potential using Pressure Bomb) during the summer by 20%.

From commercial to community

The World Economic Forum estimates that if just 15% to 25% of farms were to adopt precision agriculture technologies, such as variable nutrient and water applications, global crop yield could increase by 10% to 15% by 2030 while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water use by 10% and 20% respectively.

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Ready To See Your Crop Grow In a New Light?

Contact us today, and let one of our advisors show you how implementing Opti-Harvest into your farm can strengthen your bottom line!