Bringing new sensors onto the ZENSIE platform

Growers monitoring their crops with 30MHz technology can add two new metrics to their overview: sap flow and stem diameter. 30MHz has partnered with Dutch agtech company 2Grow, and we’re excited to bring agribusinesses in our community yet another source of data to guide grow strategy and decision-making. 30MHz customers can view their sap flow and stem diameter data alongside existing data sources (including sensors monitoring soil moisture, VPD, dewpoint, temperature, humidity, light intensity and airflow) and express that data in a variety of charts and visualisations. Besides analysing the data themselves, growers can receive advice from 2Grow and/or crop advisors, who they can grant a selective view of crop developments within the ZENSIE platform.

The sap flow sensor measures water transport within the stem (in grams per hour). The variations in stem diameter  are expressed in micrometers. 2Grow hardware performs real-time measurements just like the sensors of 30MHz. Regular monitoring enables growers to keep an eye on the increase in stem diameter and crop, and provides insight into stress situations such as drought or pests and disease. These metrics empower the grower to continuously learn about growth delays and accelerations, and the relationship between vegetative and generative growth.

Beyond a commercial partnership, collaboration with 2Grow expands the data capabilities of the 30MHz platform. Analyzing sap flow and stem diameter alongside variables like VPD and dew point strengthens growers’ capabilities to react quickly to changing circumstances, and further optimise cultivation. “This is exactly what our platform is all about,” emphasises Business Developer Tim Busschops. “Linking parties such as 2Grow, who specialize in monitoring very specific variables shows the power and flexibility of ZENSIE in serving the diverse needs of growers.”

“We see even more opportunities for our users through the collaboration with 30MHz”, says Olivier Begerem of 2Grow. “By measuring the climate in real-time and accordingly acting upon it’s changes, growers will immediately see how the plant responds to all influences. This offers enormous opportunities for efficiency. If together with 30MHz we can spread these insights across the entire sector and combine these with artificial intelligence and machine learning, for example, we realize our ambition.”