Inspirational ideas: Digital technologies help fruit growers optimise returns

Fruit growers in the region of Brandenburg, Germany, were wondering how they could irrigate their orchards in such a way that would save them money, time and water. Scientists have offered a solution that involves using soil maps, sensors and weather stations. Now, two research institutes, three fruit growers and one horticultural association are working together in an Operational Group called AQUA C+ to test the solutions available.

The ultimate aim of the Operational Group is to develop a web-based information and advisory system to increase the efficiency of water use in fruit growing. “In addition to working with soil maps and plant sensors, we are working with weather stations that the fruit growers in our Operational Group have invested in themselves”, says Dr. Andreas Jende, managing director at the Berlin-Brandenburg Horticultural Association and coordinator of the Operational Group.

Jende: “The data generated are fed into an easy-to-use browser interface that we have made.” The Operational Group’s participants will develop the app together until 2021, recording each different growing season to clarify the data modelling. “My two daughters also occasionally help the scientists to analyse the fruit development phases of our apple samples in the laboratory,” says Anke Wollanik. Wollanik manages 25 hectares of apples in Wesendahl in the Brandenburg region, Germany. This orchard is part of the family farm ‘Obstgut Franz Müller’. Wollanik enjoys working with the app: “Remotely inspecting my apples in real time allows me to more accurately decide how much watering is needed at specific times.”

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