The Bureau of Meteorology predicts a 70% chance of El Niño in 2023, moving out of the neutral phase. Climate model forecasts suggest significant effects on Australia's primary producers. It is time for growers to consider the impact and costs associated with irrigation water.

Jon Corona, Agspec’s commercial and marketing lead horticulture and summer crops, says water is essential for healthy crops, but it often comes at a high cost. “In late 2019, Australian growers were paying more than $950 per megalitre (ML) for temporary irrigated water to maintain an adequate supply for optimum growth.”

Agspec Australia, in conjunction with Exacto, have developed an innovative solution for Australian growers. AquiMax is a moisture retention technology to manage irrigated in-crop water use.

“Agspec recognises the need to increase yield and quality while ensuring the sustainable use of our most precious resources,” Mr Corona said. “AquiMax is a revolutionary new solution utilising pourable patented technology that includes both surfactants and polymers in a single formulation to improve plant soil water availability.

“AquiMax can be injected directly into irrigation systems and distributed evenly throughout the soil profile. Once applied, it promotes the lateral spread of water and retains vertical water in the irrigated zone, ensuring water preservation and availability in critical stress periods.

“AquiMax won't add any nutrients to the soil on its own, but its ability to keep more water in the root zone available for the plant will ensure more soluble nutrients are present in the soil for an extended period.

“Additional benefits include reduced leaching and run-off of mobile nutrients into groundwater and surface waterways, limiting algal bloom effects.”

Mr Corona said Agspec has several years of product development and values scientific integrity and robust data to back its claims.

“Trial work has confirmed that AquiMax is a highly versatile solution compatible with various soil types, growing climates, and horticultural management systems.

“Product trials have been conducted with research teams across the United States (77 trials in 18 states) on 19 crops, including almonds, citrus, grape vines, and potatoes. Four trials were conducted across Australia to test the product attributes over the last five years.”

When applied in trials, AquiMax used up to 13% less water was used than the Grower Standard (GS) method. 

Trials were conducted on Cowanna Almonds in Merbein, where Neale Bennett had this to say about AquiMax:

"I have used AquIMax for several years as part of my annual program. The soil depth and type on my property vary greatly. Some soil has lesser water-holding capacity than other areas, making it challenging to keep the soil moisture at field capacity.

“By using AquiMax, I have been able to help hold soil water retention in these marginal areas. AquiMax has also helped lessen overall water usage across my property, pumping hours, and power usage."

AquiMax is injected through fertigation into drip systems on orchards and vineyards at low levels throughout the season, resulting in increased yield and improved growth.

Mr Corona said When AquiMax was applied in trials, up to 13% less water was used than the Grower Standard (GS) method. Significant trends observed were increased spring bloom and post-harvest shoot length, resulting in superior yields compared to untreated areas.

AquiMax trials conducted on young almond orchards in California improved trunk diameter, soil moisture retention, and canopy volume. During the trial period, the trunk diameter grew from 11.6 to 12.7 centimetres, and the scaffold limb circumference grew from 7.1 to 7.4 centimetres.

When treated with AquiMax, the Volumetric Water Content at 300mm persisted for extended periods, and as the depth increased to 600mm, the moisture content increased significantly.

Additionally, there was an upward trend in canopy volume and height change in regions where AquiMax was applied. A two-season NDVI scan of an orchard revealed that areas treated with AquiMax had greater vigour compared to the untreated areas.

Measurements of plant sap demonstrated a 40% higher flow rate with greater intensity and a lower canopy temperature, resulting in a 30% increase in yields over untreated areas.

“Don't leave it too late this season to be prepared for your irrigation management program,” Mr Corona said. “AquiMax is cost-effective, flexible and easy to use. It makes life easier for growers when the season's pressure is on them.”