Abstract

According to UNESCO, agriculture accounts for the 70% of global freshwater consumption, and Chile is one of the main fruit exporters worldwide. Through the use of Competitiveness and Innovation Funds, the Regional Center of Agronomic Studies of the University of Chile (UCHILECREA) has developed a technological package to face water scarcity. The package was designed to save irrigation water, and to improve fruit quality and productive capacity. The method included the use of soil water content capacitance probes (TDR100, POGO, WET sensor), access tubes’ probes (Diviner), continuous measurement probes (Enviroscan, Hydra Probe) and telemetry (Plus and Wiseconn platform). Thus, the decision-making of irrigation frequency considers the maximum dynamic characteristics of the soil. Irrigation management was complemented with the use of a movable Scholander-like pressure bomb (Pump Up) using xylomatic potential as standard criteria. In addition, climatic information from meteorological stations was used. A technological transference team, constituted by agricultural engineers, developed an irrigation baseline and validated the study programs. Importance of hydric resources and incorporation of technology in agricultural management were established, generating 20 to 50% savings on irrigation water and electricity use. Better conditions of the radical system, an increase of the productive potential and fruit quality were also accomplished. Programs like this owe its success not only to the access to new technologies or investigation generated knowledge, but also to a local environment adaptation, practical knowledge and respect for the culture in which the intervention is delimited.