Water resources are issues constantly discussed around the world, one of the solutions found is irrigated agriculture, such as the drip system, for example. In the Nigerian semi-arid, a tensiometer was developed (used to measure the tension of water in the soil. 

The automatic apparatus, allows producers to have more control in the field, the irrigation system was based on sensors developed to evaluate the average number of leaves per plant, leaf area index, water productivity, among other services. One of the most produced varieties there is roma VFN tomato (plum-shaped tomato and few seeds). 

In addition, the device is designed to calculate the medical productivity per hectare and the water productivity of the tomato plant. With the use of the automated drip irrigation system based on sensors, it was possible to savings of 5% of water when compared to the conventional drip irrigation system. 

Another factor that deserves to be highlighted is the water productivity of the vegetable, which improved by 6% when compared to the conventional system used previously. Producers believe that this irrigation system reduces labor, maintains soil moisture and improves water yield and productivity in the Roma tomato variety. 

Source: Agrolink