Irrigation sensors detect plant nutrients

Biochips in irrigation sensors can allow instantaneous transmission of data which can be used to adjust irrigation activity.

During the Jan. 13-17 International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research at the Town and Country Hotel in San Diego the Jan. 15 plenary session included a presentation by Iowa State University researcher Liang Dong titled "Agricultural Sensors and Biochips to Advance Plant Phenomics and Smart Agriculture".

Irrigation includes fertilizer as well as water. "If we apply too much then we basically waste the input costs," Dong said. "If we apply less w...