Our program staff has extensive experience in irrigation agronomy, in the relationships between soil, plant and water, and in the temporal and seasonal sensitivity of crops to water deficit by using indicators of the level of water deficit and relating them to their physiological and productive effects. All this, aligned with the productive response of different irrigation strategies in different crops (almond trees, vineyards, olive trees, apple trees, peach trees, cherry trees, corn, etc.).
As a scientific basis for precision irrigation, special emphasis has been placed on the analysis of spatial and temporal variability of irrigation requirements and crop sensitivity to water stress. We have improved the practical application of this knowledge by developing intelligent decision-making tools, both for precision irrigation and for predicting water demands of irrigation communities. These tools are based on the synergy between physiological and agronomic knowledge of plants, modeling, soil and plant sensors, and remote sensing and crop modeling.
Production studies
We evaluate the response of different irrigation strategies on the production and quality of distinct crops.
Physiology and biology
We study the interactions between soil, plants, water and atmosphere in Mediterranean environments.
Water stress
We assess the seasonal sensitivity of crops to water stress and propose strategies for managing irrigation or water available for crops in cases of rainfed agriculture in drought scenarios. We also model the water needs of crops in different agronomic and climatic scenarios and use digital twins to determine and predict irrigation needs and water demands.
Fertigation
We improve efficiency in fertigation, the use of nutrients and irrigation with reclaimed water.
Sensors
We evaluate different types of plant and soil sensors to determine crop water status and their integration into decision-making systems.
Remote sensing and climate models
Thanks to the data and images collected by drones and satellites, we can calculate evapotranspiration and the water status of crops; use energy balance models; evaluate the water response of different genotypes and production systems in drought situations, and analyze drought indicators.
