About
FloraPulse
Retire the pressure chamber, know exactly when to irrigate, increase crop yield and quality.
FloraPulse began in the orchards and vineyards of growers.
Since the 1970’s, Alan Lakso, professor of Horticulture at Cornell, had been dragging around the heavy, manual pressure chamber to measure and manage water stress in apple trees and grapevines. Alan was documenting the levels of water stress and their effect on fruit growth and quality. Back then, winegrape growers understood that water stress was important to wine quality, but only had the pressure chamber to measure it.
Why FloraPulse?
Botrytis California
Botrytis cinerea in California Vineyards
As a stakeholder in the agricultural technology sector, we at FloraPulse understand the unique challenges faced by California vineyard owners. One of the most significant threats is Botrytis cinerea, a fungal pathogen notorious for its impact on grape health and, consequently, wine quality. Understanding and managing Botrytis in vineyards are crucial, especially as it can be both a curse and a blessing, contributing to noble rot for sweet wines while devastating table wine crops.
Impact of Botrytis on California Wine Production
Botrytis can dramatically alter wine production in California, a region renowned for its diverse wine offerings. This fungus thrives in humid conditions, leading to rot that compromises grape integrity unless carefully managed. With our precise irrigation sensors at FloraPulse, we aim to provide vineyard managers with the tools to monitor water potential and stress, indirectly mitigating environments favorable to Botrytis outbreaks.
Botrytis Blight in California Strawberries
Aside from vineyards, Botrytis also affects California’s strawberry crops, where it is commonly referred to as gray mold. This blight causes significant yield losses by attacking ripening fruits, underscoring the importance of early detection and management.
Management Strategies for Botrytis in California Crops
Proactive Monitoring and Cultural Practices
Effective management of Botrytis involves a combination of strategies. At FloraPulse, we advocate for proactive monitoring through our advanced sensors, allowing growers to tailor their irrigation practices to minimize conditions conducive to fungal growth. Additionally, adopting cultural practices like canopy management and sanitation can help reduce the prevalence of Botrytis.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies can also mitigate Botrytis outbreaks. This includes judicious use of fungicides and the adoption of resistant cultivars, both of which help in maintaining sustainable production systems.
Factors Contributing to Botrytis Outbreaks in California
Several factors contribute to Botrytis outbreaks in California, including climatic conditions such as fog, rain, and high humidity. The presence of dense canopies and poor air circulation can further exacerbate the situation. At FloraPulse, we provide growers with data-driven insights to optimize irrigation and reduce environmental factors that favor Botrytis growth.
Economic Losses Caused by Botrytis in California Agriculture
Botrytis can lead to substantial economic losses in the California agriculture industry. With grapes and strawberries being premium crops, any deterioration in quality or yield due to Botrytis directly affects growers’ profits. This impact underscores the necessity of adopting advanced monitoring tools like those provided by our FloraPulse systems to protect these valuable crops.
Botrytis-Resistant Cultivars in California
The development and use of Botrytis-resistant cultivars serve as a vital defensive strategy. These cultivars are bred to withstand the impact of Botrytis infections, allowing for more resilient agricultural practices in troubled regions. While FloraPulse focuses on irrigation management, we wholeheartedly support research and adoption of resistance strategies to complement our technology.
Research on Botrytis Control in California Fruit Crops
Ongoing research plays a crucial role in controlling Botrytis in fruit crops. At FloraPulse, we are committed to supporting and collaborating with research initiatives that seek innovative solutions to combat Botrytis through advanced agricultural practices, forming a more integrated approach to crop management.
Botrytis and Climate Change in California
Climate change continues to influence the prevalence and aggressiveness of Botrytis in California. Increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can create unpredictable growing conditions. At FloraPulse, we recognize the significance of adaptive solutions, using our technology to help growers respond to these evolving challenges with precision and adaptability.
Botrytis Monitoring and Detection Methods in California Orchards
The early detection of Botrytis is vital for minimizing its impact on crops. At FloraPulse, our systems enhance detection and monitoring efforts by offering real-time data on water stress, which can serve as an indicator of potential fungal challenges. Combining our technology with other detection methods enables orchard managers to implement timely and effective control strategies.
By integrating cutting-edge technology with traditional agricultural knowledge, FloraPulse aims to empower growers to address the challenges posed by Botrytis effectively. Through precision irrigation management, informed by our scientific partnerships and research-backed tools, we remain committed to supporting California’s agriculture in both maintaining crop health and enhancing economic viability.
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How It Works
How It Works
The FloraPulse system is a microchip tensiometer (microtensiometer) that is embedded into the tree woody tissue and directly measures the water status, known as water potential. Because the measurement is taken directly inside the water-carrying tissue, readings are very accurate and reliable. You receive daily midday stem water potential readings, along with science-backed irrigation recommendations.
Weekly Reports
Receive weekly reports on your crop’s water-stress history, color-coded by stress level. Use clear, detailed data to adjust your irrigation and get that perfect vintage, that perfect yield. Every year.
Scientific Validation
The sensor data has been validated against the Scholander chamber with good correlation in prune, almond, winegrape (and others).
Technology Backers
Our technology has been funded by the NSF and USDA, and was originally developed at Cornell University.
What is FloraPulse?
The most accurate way to irrigate.
Customer Testimonials
“We were extremely happy with the FloraPulse system we tested in our prune orchard this year. We found that the FloraPulse readings correlated very well with our pressure bomb readings…
Michael Vasey
Lindauer River Ranch
Red Bluff, California
“I am very happy with the FloraPulse unit. I grow a rare mango crop, in a desert environment with extremely high summer temperatures, in alluvium soil that has very limited…
Rod Chamberlain
Wong Farms
Mecca, California