Adaptation in the design of a weighing lysimeter for use in potato crops

Abstract

Within the PROLISI research project, several transportable weighing lysimeters have been designed whose technology determines with high precision the water needs of crops. Until now, all the models were focused on a type of crop such as lettuce and brassica, with a root depth of up to 30 cm. Due to the excellent performance of these devices in horticultural crops, the need has developed to cover another type of larger plant, such as the potato, with root depth of up to 50 cm. For this reason, this communication shows the dimensional adaptation of a new portable weighing lysimeter model for this type of solanaceous crop. To ensure proper functioning, several analyses and simulations have been carried out to check the resistance of the main structures and the deformations they undergo. With this model, a prototype has been manufactured and it has already been installed in an agricultural holding, with excellent operating results.