Real-time monitoring of plant transpiration rate
Measuring plant transpiration rate is key to determining the right climate strategy.
HortiMaX ProDrain continuously measures the irrigation and drain water volume, the weight of the substrate and the weight of your crop. Based on the changes in weight, the specially designed software is able to calculate your crop’s growth, transpiration rate and water uptake. HortiMaX ProDrain also monitors the saturation level of the substrate. A patented method is used to accurately determine the saturation weight each time drain water leaves the substrate. This ensures that a precise measurement is taken of the substrate’s saturation or undersaturation level. All measured values are shown in a convenient format in the HortiMaX Synopta software. If interfaced with the MultiMa process computer, HortiMaX ProDrain allows you to gear irrigation to the exact water uptake of your crop.
The HortiMaX ProDrain weighing setup can be used for virtually any crop grown in substrate. Whether you grow roses, strawberries, sweet peppers, cucumbers or tomatoes, the system is able to calculate the saturation level of the substrate and measures the transpiration rate of your crop. The irrigation and drain water sensors supplied with the system accurately measure the quantity of water entering and leaving the substrate.
By continuously measuring all of the water flows, HortiMaX ProDrain provides realtime information on the transpiration rate (in g/m2/hour). Measuring the transpiration rate is of key importance in determining the right climate strategy. It shows you precisely when your crop has reached its maximum transpiration capacity and action is needed to reduce excess moisture loss. This could prompt you to close the shade screens or activate the roof sprinklers, for instance. HortiMaX ProDrain’s transpiration measurement is so unique that researchers use it to test their transpiration models. This has already led to a more accurate model for calculating the transpiration rate in rose cultivation. If this calculation model is combined with the HortiMaX ProDrain measurement, it can even serve as an early warning system.