"Research conducted on systems that reflect what growers use has a more direct path into practice"
Source: VFD.com
© AmplifiedAg Container layout built around trial flexibility UGA's requirements called for separating plant groups, controlling irrigation and nutrients, and keeping plants accessible, with flexibility for different types of trials, and that shaped the layout from the beginning. AmplifiedAg built the research containers with insect screening to partition growing areas and separate nutrient and irrigation circuits, so designated areas run without sharing a nutrient solution.
With research, you also need to compare treatments and understand what is driving the differences you see." "We used the growing systems and environmental controls from our production applications and adapted the layout and irrigation to fit their research needs. © AmplifiedAg Academic partnerships and grower benefit "Academic partnerships are particularly important because there are still plenty of practical questions that need good research behind them.
"The value is in what comes out of the work that a grower can actually use, whether that is a better irrigation strategy, improved pest management, more effective climate control, or a simpler way to operate the equipment. Research conducted on systems that reflect what growers use has a more direct path into practice," says Matt.
Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
