Sensor-Based Irrigation Management in Container Plant Production
Summary
Container plant production demands precise water delivery to balance crop requirements, substrate properties and environmental constraints. Sensor-based irrigation management employs real-time measurements of soil or substrate moisture, often via dielectric or time-domain reflectometry sensors, to trigger irrigation events when predefined moisture thresholds are reached. This approach contrasts with fixed-schedule or manual irrigation, offering enhanced water use efficiency, reduced nutrient leaching and improved crop uniformity. Implementations range from simple on–off controllers to integrated Internet of Things platforms that collect and analyse data on volumetric water content, temperature and humidity. By linking sensor feedback to automated valves or pumps, growers can adapt irrigation to plant developmental stage, seasonal variation and container size. The result is a system that optimises water delivery, maintains optimal root-zone conditions and supports sustainable production in nurseries, greenhouses and other containerised environments.
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Sensor-Based Irrigation Management in Container Plant Production publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in sensor-based irrigation management in container plant production across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Volumetric water content (VWC): The volume of water per volume of substrate, expressed as a fraction or percentage.
Dielectric sensor: A device that measures the dielectric constant of the substrate to infer moisture level.
Fertigation: The simultaneous application of fertiliser and irrigation water through the same system.
Leaching fraction: The proportion of applied irrigation water that drains through the container, carrying dissolved nutrients.
Internet of Things (IoT): A network of connected devices that collect, transmit and analyse data for real-time monitoring and control.
References
- Mangosteen Yield and Fruit Quality under Regulated Irrigation with Sensors and IoT. Journal of Human Earth and Future (2024).
- Sensor-controlled fertigation management for higher yield and quality in greenhouse hydroponic strawberries. Frontiers in Plant Science (2025).
- Sensor-Based Irrigation Reduces Water Consumption without Compromising Yield and Postharvest Quality of Soilless Green Bean. Agronomy (2021).
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