AWARD RECOGNITION
the psyllids out, while allowing the citrus trees to grow in a controlled environment. CUPS has moved from the research stage into a commercial setting with the Dundee Citrus Growers Association as one of the earliest adopters. In short, the protective barrier of the CUPS system in conjunction with precision irrigation and inputs, is expected to yield high-quality disease-free citrus while minimizing the use of water, fertilizer and pesticides.
This project has seen success in its original goal with no psyllids detected and no incidents of citrus greening to date. It will be a few more years before definitive proof is available regarding long- term success. The oldest trees in the project are two years and will reach maturity by four to five years of age.
Through the planning and design of the project in Dundee, water usage is projected to be 35% less than conventional citrus developments, while pesticide and fertilizer usage are also projected to decrease. The partners involved in this CUPS project also project yields to be 850 boxes per acre
relative to 300 boxes per acre in conventional citrus developments in the era of greening, while overall production costs are projected to be 35% less than conventional citrus developments.
Utilizing irrigation technologies
Using this cutting-edge method to grow citrus would not have been complete without a highly technical, automated irrigation and control system to monitor weather and soil conditions and to deliver precise amounts of water and nutrients to every tree.
All phases of irrigation, fertigation and weather sensing with this project are automated by utilizing cloud-based controllers, weather stations, soil sensors and engine diagnostics. Hydraulic valves, in both the fertigation and irrigation systems, are actuated utilizing radio telemetry. Run cycles, for either irrigation or fertigation, are dictated by soil moisture, nitrogen levels, temperature and wind speed provided by the weather sensing equipment.
Anne Blankenbiller
Using this cutting- edge method to grow citrus would not have been complete without a highly technical, automated irrigation and control system to monitor weather and soil conditions and to deliver precise amounts of water and nutrients to every tree.
Performs well under pressure.
PR8000 High-flow Pressure Regulator
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irrigationtoday.org Winter 2021 | Irrigation TODAY 25
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