"We were surprised that a tool for these growers didn't already exist"
Source: VFD.com
"We were surprised that a tool for these growers didn't already exist" High-tech greenhouses are equipped with a wide range of modern technology, with data from these systems converging in the grower's climate computer. Spain-based SmartPath has developed a climate control tool aimed at giving low- and mid-tech growers access to the same capabilities.
"We were surprised that a tool for these growers didn't already exist," say José Fernando and Francesc, speaking at GreenTech Amsterdam. It is already in use in a greenhouse in Northern Ireland, as well as at operations in Spain and Mexico.
It lets the grower control greenhouse ventilation ahead of rainfall, rather than reacting only once it has already started raining." © SmartPath SmartPath combines hardware and software. The system runs on a dedicated 4G signal used to control connected equipment, with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi available as backup connections.
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.
