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

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Why Use Hortau?

Hortau has irrigation consultants and technicians through-out the U.S. and Canada, providing end-to-end support for all of its systems and installations.

Visit Hortau.com for more information, grower testimonials, research documents and news about precision irrigation management.

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.

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A Plant-Centric Approach

Soil Tension

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MAXIMIZE PHOTOSYNTHESIS WITH HORTAU IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT

THE MOST IMPORTANT SOIL CHARACTERISTIC TO A PLANT

Comfort Zone

Open Stomata

What type of soil moisture measurement is best suited for your

irrigation management program?

Should you use soil tension, water content, evapo-transpiration (ET), or another type of measurement?

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 profit-ability, 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 open-ings at the leaf surface. To avoid growth or yield loss, soil tension must be managed within a narrow bandwidth or comfort zone.

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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.

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.

NON-STRESSED STRESSED

Beyond Stress Point

Closed Stomata

Optimal Photosynthesis: maximizing growth, yield and production.

Photosynthesis Stops: plant on standby despite no visible stress signs.

Loss of growth, production. No water, nutrient uptake.

Healthy water, nutrient uptake. Optimum root development.

Sufficient water availability.

Little water availability.

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An Exact MeasurementResearchers have

worked with every type

of soil moisture system

on the market, and soil tension has

proven to be the most accurate

way to measure plant stress and

available water to a crop.

Alternate methods exist, however,

there are physical limitations to

those tools that can affect a crop’s

production potential.

Water content probes, for exam-

ple, are interpreted based on soil

type. As seen below, 20% water

content in a sandy soil will result

in a tension of 5 cbar. That same

water content in clay soil will re-

sult in tension of 60 cbar, causing

extreme stress despite reading the

same 20% on the front end.

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“Feel” Approach

Tensiometers Dielectric Sensors

Electrical Resistance

Neutron Probe

Sap FlowSensors

AerialImaging

Basic Operation Soil between fingers

Measures the suction

Measures dielectric constant

Measures resistance

Measures neu-trons slowed

by water

Measures sap flow

Measures canopy temp.

Calibration Requirements Experience Minimal Yes, soil dependent Moderate Yes, soil de-

pendent Yes Yes

Monitoring Frequency Manual, once Automatic Automatic Automatic Manual, once Auto-matic Manual

Maintenance None Handled by Hortau techs Annual

Annual, replace-

ment every 3-7 yrs.

Replace bat-teries, rules,

annual radia-tion check

Yes, every 2-3 years None

Affected by Salinity, Alkalinity No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes

Soil Type Most Suitable All All

Sand - Sandy Clay Loam (non-

cracking)

Sandy Loam - Clay All All All

Crop Monitoring Comparison Table

* DATA PROVIDED BY UC DAVIS, UCCE

HORTAU TENSIOMETERS ARE BUILT ON ACCURACY

Soil: Sandy Soil Water Content: 20% Soil Tension: 5 cbar Result: Non-stressed

Soil: Clay Soil Water Content: 20% Soil Tension: 60 cbar Result: Severely stressed

CA

PAC

ITA

NC

E

[ W a t e r C o n t e n t S y s t e m s ][ H o r t a u ]

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The Most Direct ApproachIDENTIFYING THE OPTIMAL GROWING CONDITIONS

Because Hortau’s

probes don’t have to be

calibrated for specific

soil types and are not affected

by salinity, soil tension has the

advantage of being a more exact

management tool.

The soil tension readings give a

clear indication of water

availability, helping growers

anticipate and control crop stress

in real time.

The illustration below depicts a

crop’s comfort zone based on soil

tension.

This Tension Response Curve

illustrates the typical crop

behavior when the soil is main-

tained at different tension levels.

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This data can be viewed using

graphs that show soil tension

readings in every irrigation block.

The comfort zone is overlaid

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

irrigation program.

No sophisticated calculations,

calibrations or additional analysis

is needed.

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Benefits of Real-Time Data

The graphics below are from Hortau’s

Irrolis software, displaying the blue band or “comfort zone” discussed previously.

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 environ-ment for the crop.

The lower the number on the left, the wetter or easier it is for the plant to obtain water.

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.

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.

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ANTICIPATE PLANT STRESS BEFORE IT’S VISIBLE IN THE CROP

Traditional Irrigation Management

Hortau Precision Irrigation Management

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.

Using soil tension measurements from Hortau, the grower was able to anticipate stress and irrigate to the crop’s actual needs.

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Irrigation Management 2.0

Irrigation management

approaches based on

evapotranspiration (ET),

capacitance probes and others often

suggest irrigating at a fixed

frequency — adjusting run times

based on estimated water depletion.

While this idea is popular, it can

cause crop stress, water penetration

issues and concentrate salinity.

When irrigating, it’s important to

note that we’re actually irrigating

the soil, not the crop directly. The

volume of water applied should not

exceed the soil holding capacity at

the root depth. The soil must be able

to absorb and hold the water ap-

plied, otherwise, the excess portion

will leach fertilizers and nutrients.

Irrigation run times should be

fixed, not variable. The soil should

spoon-feed the crop with water and

nutrients until soil tension reaches

the stress threshold. At this point,

the crop is no longer able to extract

water to keep photosynthetic activ-

ity and productivity at a maximum

level. Instead, it will close stomata

and wait for water availability.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Soil holding capacity depends on

soil type and compaction. Irrigating

a lighter, sandy soil the same way

as a heavier clay/loam can lead to

severe plant stress due to over- or

under-irrigation. The result: the crop

endures stress conditions for a large

portion of the growing season and

yields significantly less.

Moreover, if the soil is left too dry,

it’s hydraulic conductivity de-

creases dramatically. In many soils

the ground seals up and no longer

absorbs water. It will rewet slowly

causing crop stress episodes.

This low conductivity increases the

odds of preferential flow. This is

highly inefficient and will create a

heterogeneous soil wetting pattern.

This will cause parts of the root sys-

tem to remain dry and create stress.

IN CONCLUSION

Irrigation should be managed using

a fixed run time adjusted to the

soil-water holding capacity. The

frequency of irrigation will vary

depending on the time of year,

weather and crop growth stage.

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.

This in turn maximizes yield, opti-mizes water efficiency and fertilizer use, and improves profits.

An almond orchard (left) that uses irrigation management by Hortau, versus a neighbor using traditional practices.

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Even distribution of the wetting

bulb, allowing for greater root

mass and plant health.

Fertilizer remains in the active

root zone to maximize crop

health and avoid leaching.

Salts are pushed away from the

root zone during critical points.

SENSOR PLACEMENT18”36”24”

OFFSET PLACEMENT ENSURES:

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Our Products

Hortau’s smart field monitoring stations are rugged and powerful, delivering preci-sion 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.

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.

Looking for weather data or frost alerts to complement your soil tension measurement? Hortau’s weather tow-ers provide a wealth of measurements:

Soil Moisture Monitoring

Automation

Weather Data & Alerts

• 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.

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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.

Temperature & Relative Humidity

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 (Unshielded)

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.

Soil Tension

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.

Weather Station

Proprietary Sensors

Irrigate Remotely with Automation VALVE ACTUATION

Stations can operate multiple DC

latching solenoid valves indepen-

dently, operating an irrigation net-

work regardless of scale.

EASY DEVICE CONFIGURATION

All stations can be updated over the

air, by managers or Hortau’s techni-

cal staff. Get the latest feat-ures and

change device settings remotely

whenever needed.

Hortau’s automation technology

is a rugged, wireless system that

allows growers to irrigate remotely

— or view valve status, flow meter

and pressure data — from a phone

or computer.

PUMP AUTO-START

Interfacing with engines, the sta-

tions give growers control of pump-

ing operations from an easy-to-use

dashboard.

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.

Additional Sensors

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

Unparalleled Support & Service

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.

Water & Energy Savings20-35%

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.

Optimum Tension Threshold

Monitoring soil tension in real time lets growers know exactly when a crop needs water,

resulting in improved crop health, quality and yield.

Improved Crop Health, Quality, Yield

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.

Near-Zero Leaching

WATER SAVINGS

Hortau Benefits

Scientifically-Proven ResultsHortau’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:

- 17% yield increase- 35% less water- Near-zero fertilizer leaching

- 16% yield increase- 24% less water- Near-zero fertilizer leaching

- 18% yield increase- 10-20% less tip burn- Increased profitability, $500-$4,000 per acre

Strawberries Almonds Lettuce

Hortau can significantly cut water and energy consumption, while im-proving crop production in the face of today’s water issues.

For more research, visit hortau.com/research

Contact UsCALIFORNIA OFFICEServing the West and Southwest3485 Sacramento Drive, Suite BSan Luis Obispo, CA 93401Phone: (805) 545-5994Fax: (805) 548-8688

COLORADO OFFICEServing the High Plains107 S. Colorado AveHaxtun, CO 80731 Phone: (970) 774-7665Fax: (970) 774-7667

WISCONSIN OFFICEServing the MidwestPhone: (418) 839-2852

CANADA OFFICEServing the Northeast & Canada 966 Chemin Olivier, Suite 450Lévis, Quebec G7A 2N1 CANADAPhone: (418) 839-2852Fax: (418) 839-2851

Learn more a t :

HORTAU.COM(805) 545-5994