Have you ever thought about how the groundsmen produce such fantastic pitches in, for example, Spain? There the summer weather is hot and dry with nearly no rain. But the pitch is as green as you can imagine, enabling Messi to carry out his artistic moves. There are no holes or brown patches, not even where the goalie runs between the posts.
Some of it is down to experience; most of it is down to modern technology.
Sistemes Electrònics Progrés, S.A. designs and produces irrigation and fertigation controllers. An array of sensors in the ground measure moisture, EC and pH levels and send the information to the controller which calculates and controls the amount of water and fertilizer to be spread. Further sensors measure air humidity, rain, sun radiation, temperature, wind, etc.
For more than 12 years Sistemes Electrònics Progrés has been relying on Essemtec machines and they have just invested in a brand-new FOX assembler.
DETERMINING FACTORS: There are four determining factors which can affect the irrigation programme:
• solar energy
• humidity
• wind
• temperature
www.youtube.com/watch
During very hot summer weather, irrigation requirements may go up to about 8mm per day (64 cubic meters for an 8,000m² pitch).
All technology is hidden away out of sight from the match viewer. Wired and wireless sensors are connected and deliver the necessary information.
The fooball pitch shows the position of the water sprinklers
www.youtube.com/watch
So, when the teams walk into the stadium, they know that they can rely on a perfect pitch; not to wet and not to dry. The grass is always greener at Camp Nou.
About Sistemes Electrònics Progrés S.A.
Since 1985 Sistemes Electrònics Progrés S.A has been engaged in the development and manufacturing of electronic controllers for agricultural fertigation (drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, hydroponics, etc.) and other water controls, such as the irrigation management for irrigation communities, big farms, parks and gardens, etc. It also manufactures equipment for environmental control in enclosed spaces (greenhouses, poly-tunnels, etc.).
About Essemtec AG
Essemtec AG is one of the worldwide leading companies in developing and manufacturing highly flexible Surface Mount Technology (SMT) production equipment, located in Switzerland. www.essemtec.com
Picture 1 Camp Nou Barcelona
Picture 2 Main irrigation controller unit at Camp Nou
Picture 3 Determing factors to affect irrigation programme
Picture 4 Team of Sistemes Electrònics Progrés