1. USING SOIL MOISTURE SENSORS TO IMPROVE IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY TIM SPANN CAC RESEARCH PROGRAM DIRECTOR MAY 17, 2016

2. California Avocado Commission UNDERSTANDING SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR DATA Using Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Irrigation Efficiency 2

3. California Avocado Commission 3 Using Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Irrigation Efficiency UNDERSTANDING SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR DATA

4. California Avocado Commission 4 Using Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Irrigation Efficiency UNDERSTANDING SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR DATA

5. California Avocado Commission 5 Using Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Irrigation Efficiency UNDERSTANDING SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR DATA

6. California Avocado Commission 6 Using Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Irrigation Efficiency UNDERSTANDING SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR DATA Based on an analysis of these data, potential water savings of 50% to 80% could be achieved by scheduling irrigation based on soil moisture sensor data.

7. California Avocado Commission 7 Using Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Irrigation Efficiency ACTUAL WATER SAVINGS BASED ON IRRIGATING TO SENSOR READINGS Year over year water savings for a 42 acre avocado grove in Valley Center, CA. 20152016 GallonsAcre ft.GallonsAcre ft. January1,356,4214.16643,8951.98 February2,748,0838.431,090,4083.35 March3,189,4239.79880,2882.70 April3,632,97811.152,597,8727.97 Total10,926,90533.535,212,46316.0 53% reduction in water use

8. California Avocado Commission BETTER SOIL WATER AVAILABILITY 8 Using Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Irrigation Efficiency

9. California Avocado Commission COMPANIES REPRESENTED Irrometer – Brad Adams Anything Weather / Decagon – Gregg Potter Aqua Spy – David Sloane Irrigation Matters – Pat Biddy Crop Connect/CPS – Ken Wahlen McCrometer – Steve Grove Observant – Phil Reh Signature – Brian Smith 9 Using Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Irrigation Efficiency

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