DRIP: Data-driven Control of drip irrigation for sustainable Production in horticulture (DRIP)

General goal: data-driven control of drip irrigation systems offers the best guarantee for sustainable horticulture, in dry years for the future of Flanders. The following goals are set: i) developing a plan for the correct choice and use of soil sensors that monitor the soil moisture status on the plot ii) automatically calibrate the soil moisture simulation with soil water balance models by means of data assimilation, on data generated by soil sensors iii) real-time plot-specific data-driven irrigation advice, with indication of the optimal irrigation time and dose, accessible online for the horticulturist iv) quantify the water savings and profitability of drip irrigation for the horticulturist v) formulate solutions for pioneer nurses who experience bottlenecks when using drip irrigation. The basis for correct irrigation lies in the correct configuration of the drip irrigation system. vi) linking a drip irrigation system to the online data-driven advice platform, so that it starts and stops autonomously without intervention from the grower.