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Maria Zamora Re, an assistant professor of biological and ecological engineering at Oregon State University, made her first public presentation to the tree fruit industry at a Spanish-language field day hosted by Washington State University on May 8. The event, titled “Día de campo: Importancia y manejo del riego en frutales,” focused on irrigation basics and management in tree fruit at the Roza research orchard in Prosser.
As an irrigation specialist at OSU, Zamora Re was hired in 2021 to improve the efficiency of the state’s agricultural water use, with a focus on irrigation scheduling. During her presentation, she explained how to use sensor data for scheduling irrigation. She showcased tools like a tensiometer and a reflectometry sensor, which are commonly used in the tree fruit industry to measure soil water tension and water volume in the soil, respectively. These tools generate data that can be easily accessed on a computer or phone screen.
Zamora Re emphasized the importance of interpreting the data generated by these sensors. Specifically, she discussed the significance of maintaining water levels above the maximum allowable depletion point to prevent trees from experiencing water deficit. By utilizing soil moisture information, farmers can make informed decisions about when to irrigate and when to hold back on watering.
Additional speakers at the field day included WSU faculty members who discussed water use in horticulture, as well as three vendors who showcased their software and sensors for informing and automating the irrigation process. Overall, the event provided valuable insights and practical knowledge for attendees looking to enhance their irrigation practices in tree fruit production.
As an assistant professor of biological and ecological engineering at Oregon State University, Maria Zamora Re has been working with berry crops and pasture since her hire date in 2021 with a focus on improving agricultural water use efficiency through irrigation scheduling. During her first public presentation near Prosser at Washington State University’s Spanish-language field day focused on basic concepts of irrigation management in tree fruit production with specific emphasis on nutrient requirements for growth.
Zamora Re began her talk by explaining how soil moisture sensors are essential tools for monitoring plant moisture levels accurately. She showcased different types of sensors including tensiometers and reflectometers that provide critical information about soil moisture content that can help farmers optimize their irrigation schedules.
The next topic covered was nutrient requirements for tree fruits such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium among others that are essential for healthy growth but overuse can cause environmental damage if not managed correctly.
She also touched upon drip irrigations systems which are widely used in tree fruits due to their efficiency and ability to deliver precise amounts of water directly to roots while minimizing runoff.
Additional speakers included representatives from local suppliers who shared their experience working with these systems while also offering insights into best practices for managing nutrient levels within them.
Overall, this field day provided valuable knowledge for attendees looking to improve their irrigation practices while ensuring optimal growth outcomes through proper management of both soil moisture and nutrient levels.
