The Hortau Difference
Monitor plant stress in real time
Reduce water and energy use
Improve crop health and yield
Run irrigation remotely
Track weather data, trigger alerts
Eliminate fertilizer leaching
Hortau has irrigation
consultants and
technicians throughout the U.S. and
Canada, providing
end-to-end support
for all of its systems
and installations.
Why Use Hortau?
Since 2002, Hortau’s patented irrigation management solutions have helped
growers manage crop stress using soil tension, ensuring optimal crop growth
while reducing water use, energy consumption and environmental impact.
Soil tension provides
the most accurate
measurement.
Best-in-class service,
from installation to
harvest, year after year.
Mobile-friendly software
simplifies your irrigation
management decisions.
Visit Hortau.com for more information, grower testimonials, research
documents and news about precision irrigation management.
2
A Plant-Centric Approach
MAXIMIZE PHOTOSYNTHESIS WITH HORTAU IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT
What type of soil moisture
measurement is best suited for your
irrigation management program?
1
Should you use soil tension, water content,
evapo-transpiration (ET), or another type of
measurement?
NON-STRESSED
Open Stomata
STRESSED
Closed Stomata
If your goal is to manage water volume,
supply or pumping capacity, water content
and ET might suffice. On the other hand, if
your goal is to manage plant stress, optimize
plant growth, agronomic results and profitability, soil tension is the best answer.
Plants have the ability to self-regulate their
growth based on water availability in the
soil.
They do so by controlling the stomata openings at the leaf surface. To avoid growth or
yield loss, soil tension must be managed
within a narrow bandwidth or comfort zone.
Photosynthesis
Stops: plant on
Optimal Photosynthesis:
standby despite no
visible stress signs.
maximizing growth,
yield and production.
Soil Tension
THE MOST IMPORTANT SOIL
CHARACTERISTIC TO A PLANT
Healthy water,
nutrient uptake.
Water movement in a plant or tree
— from uptake by the root system
to evaporation by the leaves — is dictated
by tension deficits. They are driven by
tension and the laws of physics.
Optimum root
development.
2
Soil tension (the degree to which water
clings to the soil) is directly linked to a
plant’s metabolism and can allow for
anticipating water stress, in turn avoiding it
before it happens.
In addition, soil tension doesn’t have to
be calibrated for soil type and is not
influenced by soil salinity, making it the
simple-to-use irrigation measurement tool.
Sufficient water
availability.
Comfort Zone
Loss of growth, production.
No water, nutrient uptake.
Little water
availability.
Beyond Stress Point
3
An Exact Measurement
HORTAU TENSIOMETERS ARE BUILT ON ACCURACY
3
Researchers have
Alternate methods exist, however,
type. As seen below, 20% water
worked with every type
there are physical limitations to
content in a sandy soil will result
of soil moisture system
those tools that can affect a crop’s
in a tension of 5 cbar. That same
production potential.
water content in clay soil will re-
on the market, and soil tension has
proven to be the most accurate
sult in tension of 60 cbar, causing
way to measure plant stress and
Water content probes, for exam-
extreme stress despite reading the
available water to a crop.
ple, are interpreted based on soil
same 20% on the front end.
Soil: Clay Soil
Water Content: 20%
Soil Tension: 60 cbar
Result: Severely stressed
CAPACITANCE
Soil: Sandy Soil
Water Content: 20%
Soil Tension: 5 cbar
Result: Non-stressed
Crop Monitoring Comparison Table
Basic Operation
Calibration Requirements
Monitoring Frequency
Maintenance
Affected by Salinity, Alkalinity
Soil Type Most Suitable
[Hortau]
[ Wa t e r
C o n t e n t
S y s t e m s ]
“Feel”
Approach
Tensiometers
Dielectric
Sensors
Electrical
Resistance
Neutron
Probe
Sap Flow
Sensors
Aerial
Imaging
Soil between
fingers
Measures the
suction
Measures
dielectric
constant
Measures
resistance
Measures neutrons slowed
by water
Measures
sap flow
Measures
canopy
temp.
Experience
Minimal
Yes, soil
dependent
Moderate
Yes, soil dependent
Yes
Yes
Manual, once
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
Manual, once
Automatic
Manual
None
Handled by
Hortau techs
Annual
Annual,
replacement every
3-7 yrs.
Replace batteries, rules,
annual radiation check
Yes, every
2-3 years
None
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
All
Sand Sandy Clay
Loam (noncracking)
Sandy Loam
- Clay
All
All
All
All
* DATA PROVIDED BY UC DAVIS, UCCE
4
The Most Direct Approach
IDENTIFYING THE OPTIMAL GROWING CONDITIONS
4
Because Hortau’s
The soil tension readings give a
crop’s comfort zone based on soil
probes don’t have to be
clear indication of water
tension.
calibrated for specific
availability, helping growers
soil types and are not affected
anticipate and control crop stress
by salinity, soil tension has the
in real time.
advantage of being a more exact
management tool.
This data can be viewed using
graphs that show soil tension
readings in every irrigation block.
The comfort zone is overlaid
The illustration below depicts a
horizontally (using a 90-degree
rotation) on those same graphs.
This provides a simple roadmap
for growers to follow and
get the most out of their
This Tension Response Curve
illustrates the typical crop
behavior when the soil is maintained at different tension levels.
irrigation program.
No sophisticated calculations,
calibrations or additional analysis
is needed.
5
Benefits of Real-Time Data
ANTICIPATE PLANT STRESS BEFORE IT’S VISIBLE IN THE CROP
The graphics below
are from Hortau’s
Irrolis software, displaying
the blue band or “comfort
zone” discussed previously.
5
This band is the key to the
system’s simplicity and
allows any user (computer
literate or not) to make an
irrigation decision. The
“blue zone” represents the
optimum growing environment for the crop.
The lower the number on
the left, the wetter or easier
it is for the plant to obtain
water.
Traditional Irrigation Management
The higher the number,
the drier or more difficult
it becomes for the plant to
extract water from the soil
(increased plant stress).
In this case, when the
shallow sensor reads above
the blue zone (higher
tension), the irrigation
should be turned on.
The above graph is an example of irrigation management without Hortau,
where severe stress occurred in mid-June and irrigation didn’t occur until
the damage was already visible in the crop.
Hortau Precision Irrigation Management
As the water moves through
the soil profile to the deeper
sensor, the grower knows to
turn it off when the sensor
reads below the “blue zone.”
The real-time data allows
growers to determine how
long to run the irrigation set
based on the time it takes
water to move from one
sensor to the next.
6
Using soil tension measurements from Hortau, the grower was able
to anticipate stress and irrigate to the crop’s actual needs.
Irrigation Management 2.0
An almond orchard (left) that uses irrigation management by Hortau, versus a neighbor using traditional practices.
6
Irrigation management
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
portion of the growing season and
approaches based on
Soil holding capacity depends on
yields significantly less.
evapotranspiration (ET),
soil type and compaction. Irrigating
Moreover, if the soil is left too dry,
capacitance probes and others often
a lighter, sandy soil the same way
it’s hydraulic conductivity de-
suggest irrigating at a fixed
as a heavier clay/loam can lead to
creases dramatically. In many soils
frequency — adjusting run times
severe plant stress due to over- or
the ground seals up and no longer
based on estimated water depletion.
under-irrigation. The result: the crop
absorbs water. It will rewet slowly
While this idea is popular, it can
endures stress conditions for a large
causing crop stress episodes.
cause crop stress, water penetration
issues and concentrate salinity.
When irrigating, it’s important to
This low conductivity increases the
SENSOR PLACEMENT
24”
36”
18”
odds of preferential flow. This is
highly inefficient and will create a
note that we’re actually irrigating
heterogeneous soil wetting pattern.
the soil, not the crop directly. The
This will cause parts of the root sys-
volume of water applied should not
tem to remain dry and create stress.
exceed the soil holding capacity at
IN CONCLUSION
the root depth. The soil must be able
Irrigation should be managed using
to absorb and hold the water ap-
a fixed run time adjusted to the
plied, otherwise, the excess portion
soil-water holding capacity. The
will leach fertilizers and nutrients.
Irrigation run times should be
OFFSET PLACEMENT ENSURES:
frequency of irrigation will vary
depending on the time of year,
fixed, not variable. The soil should
Even distribution of the wetting
weather and crop growth stage.
spoon-feed the crop with water and
bulb, allowing for greater root
nutrients until soil tension reaches
mass and plant health.
Hortau’s multiple-depth tension
sensing allows growers to monitor
downward and lateral flow of water
(for drip systems) to keep the crop
in optimal growing conditions.
the stress threshold. At this point,
the crop is no longer able to extract
water to keep photosynthetic activity and productivity at a maximum
Fertilizer remains in the active
root zone to maximize crop
health and avoid leaching.
level. Instead, it will close stomata
Salts are pushed away from the
and wait for water availability.
root zone during critical points.
This in turn maximizes yield, optimizes water efficiency and fertilizer
use, and improves profits.
7
Our Products
Soil Moisture Monitoring
Hortau’s smart field monitoring stations
are rugged and powerful, delivering precision irrigation data for all crop types.
The irrigation stations are solar powered
and can monitor data from 2 to 8 sensors,
sending the information to the cloud in
real time via cell phone data networks.
That information is then graphed on
Hortau’s easy-to-use mobile software.
Weather Data & Alerts
Looking for weather data or frost alerts
to complement your soil tension
measurement? Hortau’s weather towers provide a wealth of measurements:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wind speed
Wind direction
Rainfall intensity
Cumulative rainfall
Temperature
Relative humidity
•
•
•
•
•
•
Barometric pressure
Solar radiation
Evapotranspiration
Degree days
Chilling hours
Chill portions
Frost and other alerts can be set up to notify
growers by text or phone when needed.
Automation
Hortau’s field control units allow
growers to remotely start and stop
diesel engines or electric motors for
pumping.
The stations can also remotely open
and close valves, read flow meters and
pressure in irrigation lines.
Automation ensures optimal irrigation
across the board.
8
Proprietary Sensors
Soil Tension
Hortau has the most advanced soil tension sensor on the market. This patented
technology allows for precise irrigation management in any soil type, crop and
growing environment.
Temperature (Unshielded)
Unshielded temperature sensors can be used for measuring soil temperature or
night-time air temperature for frost. Complement the sensor with instant mobile alerts
and growers can respond to frost before it causes crop damage.
Temperature & Relative Humidity
The sensor measures both temperature and relative humidity, while using only one
port. Radiation shields help provide accurate temperature readings throughout the day,
even during extreme heat in the dry summer months.
Weather Station
This complete and compact weather station is built for dependability. The Hortau
station has no moving parts and requires almost no maintenance, ensuring accuracy
with all of the measurements a farming operation needs.
Additional Sensors
Hortau’s latest-generation stations allow for up to 8 sensors, which can include
additional weather stations, pyranometers, diesel engine controllers, relays, valve
controllers, pressure sensors, switches, flow meters, tipping buckets and more.
Irrigate Remotely with Automation
Hortau’s automation technology
VALVE ACTUATION
is a rugged, wireless system that
Stations can operate multiple DC
allows growers to irrigate remotely
latching solenoid valves indepen-
— or view valve status, flow meter
dently, operating an irrigation net-
and pressure data — from a phone
work regardless of scale.
or computer.
EASY DEVICE CONFIGURATION
PUMP AUTO-START
All stations can be updated over the
Interfacing with engines, the sta-
air, by managers or Hortau’s techni-
tions give growers control of pump-
cal staff. Get the latest feat-ures and
ing operations from an easy-to-use
change device settings remotely
dashboard.
whenever needed.
9
Unparalleled Support & Service
Founded in 2002, Hortau is a national
company with local roots. Unlike many
larger agriculture companies, Hortau
specializes in irrigation management
systems and puts our local growers first.
One of the only end-to-end irrigation
management system providers on the
market, Hortau not only manufactures all
of its products, but installs, trains growers
on the system and services products in the
field all year long.
Watch grower testimonials
at: hortau.com/videos
Hortau Benefits
Improved Crop Health, Quality, Yield
Monitoring soil tension in real time lets growers know exactly when a crop needs water,
resulting in improved crop health, quality and yield.
Optimum Tension Threshold
Since 2002, Hortau has been an industry leader in precision irrigation management, and
has identified tension thresholds for most all crops, from almonds to zucchini.
Water & Energy Savings
A water savings of up 20 to 35% has been seen on average by Hortau growers, which
helps drive down pumping costs, fertilizer applications and more.
Near-Zero Leaching
Soil tension, being an exact measurement, can tell us exactly when leaching occurs.
Research has shown that leaching is greatly reduced by adjusting irrigation frequency and
run time, according to soil tension readings. In addition, water savings will be
realized without affecting yield.
20-35%
WATER SAVINGS
Scientifically-Proven Results
Hortau’s technology typically sees a payback within the first year thanks to water and
energy reduction, and crop-saving features such as instant frost alerts. Here’s a look at
results from using Hortau, supported by years of independent scientific research:
Strawberries
- 17% yield increase
- 35% less water
- Near-zero fertilizer leaching
Almonds
- 16% yield increase
- 24% less water
- Near-zero fertilizer leaching
For more research, visit hortau.com/research
Lettuce
- 18% yield increase
- 10-20% less tip burn
- Increased profitability,
$500-$4,000 per acre
Hortau can
significantly
cut water
and energy
consumption,
while improving crop
production
in the face of
today’s water
issues.
Contact Us
CALIFORNIA OFFICE
Serving the West and Southwest
3485 Sacramento Drive, Suite B
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 545-5994
Fax: (805) 548-8688
COLORADO OFFICE
Serving the High Plains
107 S. Colorado Ave
Haxtun, CO 80731
Phone: (970) 774-7665
Fax: (970) 774-7667
WISCONSIN OFFICE
Serving the Midwest
Phone: (418) 839-2852
CANADA OFFICE
Serving the Northeast & Canada
966 Chemin Olivier, Suite 450
Lévis, Quebec
G7A 2N1 CANADA
Phone: (418) 839-2852
Fax: (418) 839-2851
Learn more at:
HORTAU.COM
(805) 545-5994