Syngenta provides station to collect California weather data

Syngenta, in partnership with the Calif. Dept. of Water Resources and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, has opened a new Calif. Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) station. The station will provide weather data to the public via the CIMIS Web site. The station, located in Gilroy, Calif., provides accurate water usage data for area crops. This data helps the local landscaping and ag communities conduct drought research and manage crop irrigation.

Syngenta provided the station, which gathers information such as solar radiation, wind direction and speed, humidity, and air and soil temperature, to the Calif. Dept. of Water Resources. The Santa Clara Valley Water District will provide maintenance and calibration support.

Syngenta researchers will analyze the web based data to determine daily estimates of plant water requirements and chilling requirements for crops grown in the local area.

“The CIMIS station data are reliable up to approximately 5-10 miles away from the station, so growers in the Gilroy area will benefit by delivering precision irrigation to crops,” said Joe Benson, site manager at Syngenta.

The solar-powered station is expected to assist local growers and the urban landscaping industry plan for efficient irrigation. Information from the Gilroy station also helps local growers understand optimal strategies for producing crops when faced with water restrictions due to drought. Calif. Dept. of Water Resources manages a network of over 120 automated weather stations in the state.