The Challenge:
Marlenique Estate, a part of Boplaas 1743 Landgoed, holds the distinction of being the oldest family business in South Africa, with a history of fruit cultivation dating back to 1900. In 2018, SupPlant embarked on a project at Marlenique farm, specifically focusing on their Lemon Orchard. This project served as one of the pioneering proofs of concept (POC) in the country. The objective was to assess the benefits of SupPlant’s plant-based approach on the health and productivity of the orchard, with particular emphasis on young plantations. Improving yields in these plantations is crucial for maximizing returns on the substantial initial investment required to establish a new orchard.
An illustration of the impact of irrigation intervals on fruit growth and how adjusting irrigation based on the fruit’s requirements affects its development is provided. The left side depicts the conventional practice of infrequent deep irrigations, leading to inconsistent fruit growth and even loss of growth between watering cycles. Conversely, the right side represents the period when irrigation was tailored to the plant and fruit data. The closer and smaller irrigations immediately resulted in steady and consistent fruit growth, ultimately leading to increased fruit size and overall yield.
The Solution:
SupPlant implemented an array of sensors at Marlenique, including soil moisture sensors, plant and fruit growth sensors, and meteorological weather data sensors. This comprehensive sensor network enabled SupPlant’s algorithmic system to capture and analyze a complete and real-time view of the orchard, facilitating irrigation adjustments based on the plant’s requirements at each stage of the growing season. This innovative approach diverged from the market norm, which predominantly relies on soil moisture probes and soil profile analyses without considering real-time plant data.
Through the utilization of the SupPlant system, it became evident that the existing irrigation practices were constraining the orchard’s growth potential. By modifying the irrigation amounts and frequency, significant advancements in tree and fruit development were achieved.
The Results:
During the POC period, the SupPlant plot demonstrated notably faster growth, including accelerated canopy development and a more consistent and rapid fruit growth rate.
Consequently, there was a substantial increase in both total yield and fruit size, with these positive outcomes observed consistently over two consecutive years. This reaffirmed that the benefits of SupPlant’s plant-based approach can be reliably replicated year after year.
The improved yield led to a higher income per hectare, enabling a faster return on the initial substantial investment required for establishing a lemon orchard.
