Case Study: Technological Integration in Broccoli Cultivation in Mazarrón, Murcia, Spain.

Esta finca agrícola de Mazarrón, Murcia, dedicada al cultivo de brócoli, ha logrado una notable mejora en sus resultados gracias a la implementación de un sistema tecnológico de última generación. Este caso de éxito destaca cómo la integración de una weather station avanzada, sondas de humedad Sensor Pup y el Kit Tiloom Agro has optimised crop management, improving both productivity and sustainability.

Challenge

The farm faced the challenge of maximising broccoli yields in an environment with changing climatic conditions, optimising the use of water and phytosanitary resources to reduce environmental impact. Soil variability and nutrient demand in this type of crop required an integrated management strategy that would allow informed decisions to be made in real time.

Solution

To address these challenges, the farm implemented a number of advanced technologies that complement each other:

1.Meteorological Station: Se instaló una estación meteorológica que permite monitorear en tiempo real parámetros clave como temperatura, humedad relativa, radiación solar, precipitación, evapotranspiration (ET) y déficit de presión de vapor (DPV). Estos datos, accesibles desde cualquier dispositivo, facilitan una gestión constante y precisa de las condiciones ambientales.

2. Humidity Probes Sensor PupThe probes: Placed at depths of 10 and 20 cm, these probes measure the percentage of moisture in the soil in real time. This information allows irrigation to be adjusted according to the specific needs of the crop and the soil profile, thus optimising water use and avoiding both water stress and excess moisture.

Kit Tiloom AgroThe addition of this kit added a layer of advanced soil physico-chemical analysis, with instruments including:

1. Infiltrometer to measure the infiltration rate and optimise irrigation.
2. Penetrometer to assess the soil compaction and improve the structure, favouring root development.
3. LAQUATwin Ionometers to measure essential nutrients such as nitrate and potassium, adjusting fertilisation precisely.
4. TDR probe to monitor volumetric moisture and salinity, maintaining the right balance in the soil.

Results

The integration of these systems has enabled the farm to achieve:

• Reduction of water consumptionBy accurately monitoring soil moisture and adjusting irrigation according to ET and probe readings, the farm has been able to significantly reduce water use, conserving a valuable resource in a region with frequent water stress.
• Optimisation of fertilisationThe detailed analysis of nutrient content and soil structure has allowed fertiliser applications to be adjusted, ensuring that the broccoli receives exactly what it needs at each stage of growth, without waste or negative impact on the environment.
• Preventive disease controlWith the use of predictive disease models, such as the Hyre and Wallin models, the farm can anticipate risk conditions and make preventive phytosanitary decisions. This has reduced the need for reactive treatments and ensured better crop health.

• Increased productivity and quality: Thanks to more precise management of growing conditions, the broccoli crop has seen significant improvements in productivity and final product quality, contributing to the farm's competitiveness in the market.

Conclusion

This success story shows how the adoption of advanced technologies can transform broccoli cultivation in environments such as Mazarrón. The integration of the weather station, humidity probes and the Tiloom Agro Kit has turned the farm into a model of efficiency and sustainability, making the most of resources and ensuring the profitability of the crop. This farm management system is a clear example of how technology can solve complex problems and improve resilience and competitiveness in the agricultural sector.