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Text Message Technology Gets A Green Thumb.

In Israel a new use for text message technology has been implemented to help farmers monitor crop irrigation.  Metal electrodes placed inside the roots of plants are able to detect water levels in soil, this data is then sent via a walkie-talkie type method to a computer that then sends a text message to the farmer alerting him to water the plants.  The idea was first experimented with to protect crops from over watering and to save on water costs. The technology has taken over 7 years to perfect and is an exciting lead in the progressive convenience of mobile phone technology.

I love the idea of the little plants being able to communicate with the farmer. “We r thirsty, could you also pick up a bag of fertiliser on your way home and come and sing us a lullaby, as we cant sleep until you’re home to tuck us in… Luv Marijuana plantation .

The reduction in water wastage would be grand as many crops are irrigated by automatic sprinkler systems. This development could cut irrigation costs by half, although the phone bills may be higher than usual. If you had a 5000-tree orchard it could cost as little as $250 a year in text messages. This technology could also be used for private gardeners who travel. They wouldn’t have to rely on timer switches that can often over water plants after rain, ruining gardens.

 This type of text message technology is a useful application of such an impersonal means of communication.  Imagine how amazing it will be when the fridge can automatically text through a shopping list of products running low to the online supermarket, as the washing machine robotically detects the smell in the dirty clothes basket, then sorts the colours and clicks on. It would really need to sense those darn hidden tissues though.