Consumptive and Efficient Water Use in Crops Under Controlled Environments

This project addresses the growing demand for water in agriculture, exacerbated by climate change and the scarcity of local data on water requirements in Ecuador. The research focuses on blueberry production in controlled environments, an expanding sector that requires technical optimization to be sustainable and profitable. The proposed solution involves implementing an intelligent greenhouse system equipped with automated weighing lysimeters. This system will allow for precise measurement of applied water, drainage, and evapotranspiration, facilitating the calculation of the crop coefficient (Kc) according to the plant's phenological stages. Additionally, sensors will be integrated to monitor climatic and soil variables. The expected impact includes generating crucial technical information for local producers, enabling efficient management of irrigation and nutrition. This will contribute to reducing water waste, optimizing production costs, and improving profitability, promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the high Andean region.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>Determine the water requirements of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) crops in greenhouses using an automated weighing lysimeter system. The goal is to identify the consumptive and efficient use of water in protected environments in the high Andean region of Ecuador.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Sustainable water and soil management