Location: Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection
Project Number: 8080-30500-001-036-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2024
End Date: Apr 30, 2026
Objective:
High-tunnel production systems extend the growing system in temperate growing regions to allow production of high-quality vegetable products for local consumption. High-tunnel environments have a smaller footprint and are therefore at a disadvantage for competitive research funding opportunities. Despite this, high-tunnels are integral to the supply chain of local businesses and communities, especially in urban and suburban areas. We suggest that small businesses and producers reliant on high tunnels merit additional consideration for equitable distribution of agricultural research funding and technology development. Moreover, the objectives of this project align with SARE priorities of sustainable production and farmer/community wellbeing in the Northeast region. This project provides on-farm testing of an innovative data-driven technology to reduce water consumption, improve farmer quality of life through reducing labor inputs, and ultimately improve the yield and quality of high-value produce grown in high-tunnels in the Northeast.
Approach:
This project seeks to improve high-tunnel production systems in the Northeast through on-farm collaborative evaluation of an autonomous data-driven irrigation system for production of fresh-market tomato. The USDA-ARS developed a low-cost ($250) and open-source irrigation controller, Open_Irr, to improve equitable access to emerging agricultural technology systems. The controller automates irrigation events based on soil moisture sensor feedback in high-tunnels of three collaborating farmers in Pennsylvania. Project objectives are: 1) to install Open_Irr controllers at three small high-tunnel farms providing collaborating farmers with controller operation training; 2) quantify irrigation water volume utilized in beds managed by the controller and those under typical management; 3) evaluate resulting produce yield and quality; and 4) develop recommendations for data-driven irrigation controllers in high-tunnel production environments. Open_Irr controllers constructed by USDA-ARS will be installed with necessary irrigation system modifications in fall 2024. Training on the controller will be provided during install and again during early spring 2025 planting activities. Experimental activities will be conducted as two approaches to irrigation (data-driven irrigation, manual irrigation) in fresh-market tomato using a randomized complete block design with three replications across high-tunnel planting beds. Irrigation flow meters will record water usage among crop and irrigation approaches. Crop growth will be monitored during vegetative growth phases; upon harvest, yield and produce quality will be evaluated by Penn State researchers. Project outreach consists of one formal field day event; one popular press publication (Vegetable Grower News or similar); a Penn State Extension publication and presentation of research findings at growers’ meetings.