Mike Kenna, Ph.D., explores a new tool to help course maintenance and irrigation efficiency
Informed decisions are vital to managing any course, and Toro’s PrecisionSense Service was a pivotal tool in a USGA water conservation study. This patented service collects detailed data on soil moisture, compaction, salinity, turf health and more.
PrecisionSense mapped out irrigation zones based on native soil texture data, identifying where to place moisture sensors for optimal results. By integrating with Toro’s Turf Guard wireless soil monitoring system, researchers could monitor subsurface conditions in real time and irrigate more efficiently.
It provided accurate information on defining irrigation zones on all the course fairways, helping to save water and improve turf quality.
Essentially, the PrecisionSense method is an irrigation audit based on soil moisture, compaction, salinity, turf vigor, topography and slope. Researchers could fine-tune the irrigation system using actual soil moisture measurements for better accuracy and efficiency. The data is invaluable, especially when considering the investments in irrigation.
What stands out is soil and turf quality mapping. Toro generates irrigation audit maps that identify problem areas, such as dry or compacted zones, without requiring much manual labor.
This data, combined with the ability to view the maps in Google Earth and program irrigation schedules in the software, helped optimize resource use, saving water and labor.
Results from the USGA study with soil moisture sensors located in the PrecisionSense irrigation zones showed a 29 percent decrease in water use compared to the superintendent’s schedule and a 46 percent decrease from ET replacement estimates.
For anyone looking to improve course maintenance and irrigation efficiency, the Toro PrecisionSense evaluation is a valuable tool for enhancing water conservation.
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