Here are just a few crop specific examples of the ways that Soil and Topography Information’s SIS can render benefits to a grower:
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Wine Grapes:Canopy management is a major factor in wine grape production and it has long been recognized that irrigation management is a powerful tool in controlling canopy growth. Effective irrigation management requires good information about the soil in which the vines are growing and until the development of STI's Soil Information System (SIS), there had not been the level of definition needed to accommodate the variability in soils in most vineyards. Consequently, it was not possible to efficiently achieve canopy management objectives and therefore the yield and quality goals. Now, these limitations no longer exist. |
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Almonds: There are several critical stages of almond crop development that are dependent upon a combination of water and nutrient management. The requirements of these can only be accomplished effectively year after year by knowing the nutrient and water holding capacity of the soils in which the almond orchards are planted. Because of the inherent variability in soils across most fields, the ability to achieve uniform conditions to optimize nut filling and hull splitting across large acreages is difficult. The STI Soil Information System (SIS) can provide the detailed soil water and nutrient potential to improve the management of these stages of development. |
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Pistachios: Efforts to reduce the tendency for alternate bearing in Pistachios have been underway for years. Recent insights suggest that careful nutrient and irrigation management can help reduce the "off season" loss of production. However, knowing the water and nutrient availability in the soil and thereby being able to more effectively manage these critical inputs requires a precise knowledge of the soil nutrient and water holding capacity. The STI Soil Information System does this. |
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Citrus: Proper site selection and soil management are critical in citrus production to optimize fruit size, rind and juice quality, and total yield. The best results start with a site that can supply the air, water, and drainage requirements that citrus demands. As well, although not particularly consumptive, nutrient supply is very important as citrus is generally intolerant of deficiencies in several elements (e.g. nitrogen, potassium, or zinc) that can substantially reduce yield and quality potential. With STI's Soil Information System citrus growers can avoid pitfalls and make intelligent decisions to maximize their ROI. |