A simple tool developed by the South Australian Research and Development Institute to manage a multi-million dollar salinity problem and save nutrients in plant root zones will be marketed world-wide.

The Australian horticulture industry will be first in line to benefit from the new device that places effective salinity and nutrient management within the reach of all growers.

It was launched on Tuesday, 15 May by the South Australian Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Rory McEwen, at Woodstock Winery & Coterie, McLaren Flat, on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Industry groups, the irrigation industry and local growers gathered to see the inexpensive and simple-to-use device which helps growers monitor the emerging problem of root zone salinity, which particularly effects grape and citrus under highly efficient irrigation systems.

If left unchecked, salinity damage could cost the $2 billion Riverland and Sunraysia horticulture industries alone $100m a year.

The soil water extractor was developed by SARDI when its scientists recognised that modern irrigation practices were resulting in the build up of salt in the roots of plants. This caused leaf tip burn, yield loss and eventually the death of the plant. The plants are often damaged before the symptoms present.

Loss of nutrients from the root zone may also add to costs, and horticulture and vegetable growers will be able to use the device to track nitrogen movement, and improve nutrient management.

The product, called the Sentek SoluSAMPLERâ„¢, is being manufactured and distributed by Adelaide-based company Sentek Sensor Technologies, a world leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of innovative technology for the irrigation industry.

Sentek’s General Manager - Sales & Marketing, Mike Donkersley stated “As irrigators are continually striving to increase irrigation efficiency, this has highlighted the emergence of salinity related problems.  This simple, portable and easy to use device is a breakthrough for growers.  It allows them to measure the salinity of water anywhere on their property, and adjust their irrigation management accordingly to avoid the build up of salts in the root zone.”

The Sentek SoluSAMPLERâ„¢ launch included a field demonstration of the soil water extractor by McLaren Vale viticulture consultant George Dridan and SARDI senior irrigation scientist, Dr Tapas Biswas, who developed the tool.

Mr Dridan says McLaren Vale growers were keen to use this type of device to monitor and manage root zone salinity.

“It’s a simple low cost device that growers can use themselves to measure salinity on their property. The water samples provided by the Sentek SoluSAMPLER™ can be easily checked using an EC or salinity meter. If growers want to go further and check nutrient levels, water samples collected by the Sentek SoluSAMPLER™ can be analysed at the laboratory. Growers here for example are now using recycled water on their vines, which might mean they could reduce their use of fertiliser.”

The development of the soil water extractor was initiated under a tri-state salinity project funded by Land and Water Australia, Murray-Darling Basin Commission and the South Australian Natural Resource Management Board.

The news.come from www.bossgoo.com

Extraction Tube

Extraction Tube