Water Management of Sulfate Soils
The acidic sulfate soils in the Eurajoki catchment area occasionally degrade the river's water quality and aquatic life. Eurajoki is an important spawning area for trout, salmon, and whitefish, as well as a source of raw water.
The project involves identifying risks, planning risk management, implementing practical measures, and providing guidance on sulfate soils. The impacts are actively monitored, and Datasense's continuous monitoring solutions for groundwater levels and acidity are used to verify environmental effects.
Low-Emission Cultivation Methods
Various GHG measurement methods are used to verify the impact of different cultivation practices on emissions. Comparisons may include the use of cover crops, different fertilization strategies, types of fertilizers, plant varieties, as well as soil preparation and sowing methods, among others.
The utilized methods include eddy covariance and chamber techniques, which combine measurement data with information gathered from weather and soil stations, as well as satellite data hubs. The image shows Datasense's carbon flux tower measuring a feed grain field of an HKFOODS contract producer.
Environmental Impacts of Peatland Cultivation
Chamber measurements conducted at a peatland site aim to determine which types of wetland vegetation most effectively sequester carbon dioxide and which practices reduce greenhouse gas emissions from peat soils.
The goal is to develop cultivation techniques, production models, and product ideas based on peatland farming that promote carbon neutrality. The cultivation trials also investigate the impact of biochar in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact of Gypsum Treatment on Nutrient Emissions
The experimental setup aimed at reducing nutrient loading and erosion caused by runoff water to water bodies is a collaborative effort between farmers, the University of Turku, the ELY Center, and Datasense, where data is produced transparently.
The verification of impacts utilizes precise soil profiling rods, a handheld water quality analyzer, and soil analyses.
Field Data for Research Use
The Multa project, conducted between 2019 and 2023, extensively studied field ecosystems located in various growth zones. Datasense's Kasvuvahti field sensors and Pintavahti monitoring stations, which measure groundwater levels, collected valuable data for research and the Field Observatory. Simultaneously, data services, measurement methods, and sensor technology were developed to better suit Finland's demanding conditions.
Optimization of Pesticide Use
Datasense Kastevahti, the leaf wetness sensor provides real-time data on the moisture levels of leaves in apple orchards and strawberry fields by directly measuring droplet moisture from problem areas within the vegetation. By combining sensor data with rainfall and humidity information from weather stations, irrigation and pesticide use on the crops can be optimized.
Precise real-time monitoring helps effectively combat diseases such as apple scab and gray mold while reducing unnecessary pesticide and water usage.
Sub-irrigation Management
Sub-irrigation can improve growth conditions during dry periods. The installation of control structures in drainage wells allows for the regulation of field drainage and the elevation of the groundwater table to be accessible to plants. The efficiency and suitability of sub-irrigation vary by field, depending on soil type, drainage system performance, and field slope. Datasense's sub-irrigation management stations assist in optimizing sub-irrigation control to meet the specific needs of each field.
Implementation of Carbon Farming Practices
Datasense is participating in the BSAG HITTI project by supporting carbon farming with soil, groundwater, and weather monitoring devices and data services. Carbon farming aims to sequester carbon in the soil and reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. It also promotes sustainable agriculture by improving soil health, fertility, and biodiversity. Datasense contributes to the project with continuous monitoring stations, enabling the adaptation of carbon farming practices to local conditions.
Fieldwork Timing on Remote Plots
Weather conditions can vary significantly at the local level, making real-time data especially valuable for remote fields. A farm weather station provides precise and up-to-date information on rainfall, soil moisture, temperature, and frost conditions, helping to optimize the timing of fieldwork, particularly in the spring. This enables better resource management, timely agricultural practices, and reduces soil compaction by avoiding the use of heavy machinery on overly wet fields.
Environmental Monitoring for Large Research Field
The research-grade weather and soil sensor network provides valuable data from the smart farming research plots in Jokioinen. The monitoring stations collect precise data on weather and soil conditions, which is stored in the Natural Resources Institute Finland's database and integrated with other datasets. This allows for detailed analysis of cultivation conditions, supports the development of farming methods, and fosters research and innovations in smart agriculture.
Monitoring Growth Conditions in a Greenhouse Tunnel
Tunnel cultivation has advanced significantly in recent years, with strawberries and raspberries thriving particularly well in these environments. Growth tunnels protect plants from adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain and wind, which improves crop quality and reduces the need for pesticides. Inside the tunnel, optimal growing conditions, such as temperature and humidity, are created, which are crucial for successful harvests.
The Kasvuvahti T12 monitoring station enables real-time remote monitoring of substrate moisture and temperature, which is critical for producing a consistent and high-quality yield. The ability to set alerts allows the farmer to respond quickly if conditions deviate from the optimal range, ensuring the best possible growth environment for the plants.
Gas Measurements for Industrial Processes
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be deadly at high concentrations. It binds to hemoglobin in the blood about 200 times more strongly than oxygen, preventing oxygen from being transported to tissues and causing a condition known as hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation in the tissues.
The Datasense Häkävahti is used for measuring carbon monoxide concentrations in processes. It utilizes a sensitive electrochemical sensor capable of detecting very low concentrations within the 0 to 300 ppm range. Emissions measurements in processes are also conducted on a sampling basis using the Gasmet GT5000 FTIR multi-gas analyzer, which offers measurement accuracy down to 7 ppb.
Frost Protection for Crop Cultivation
Frost occurs in the spring and fall, especially on clear and calm nights when the ground temperature drops below freezing. Frost protection often involves the use of covers, plastic, and irrigation.
Datasense's Hallavahti monitoring station helps predict frost occurrences and enables timely initiation of protective measures. The station includes one or more temperature sensors placed at appropriate heights and, if needed, under protective covers. Alerts are sent to the farmer via text message when preset thresholds are exceeded. Hallavahti stations are widely used in early potato and strawberry fields as well as in nurseries.
