University of Arizona launches new app that helps local farmers track water and salt balance

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Research scientists and web developers with the University of Arizona have launched a web application designed to help growers optimize water usage and salt balance for crops.

The app, called DesertAgWise, uses data gathered from various instrumentation including Eddy Covariance Systems, satellites and remote sensors all used to track water and salt balance in vegetable production fields.

"An equally important part of this app is that'll help them manage the soil salts because you can't manage the salts without managing your irrigation," said Dr. Andrew French, research scientist with the University of Arizona.

This data was gathered through a study launched in 2016 by The Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA).

With water being vital to Yuma's agriculture, researchers see the app as one step in an effort towards maximizing efficiency, with French adding, "The benefit for the water provider like the Bureau of Reclamation is that they can plan how much water will get used based on crop type. That's especially important when you don't have enough water to go around."

The web development team said there are currently 25 registered users, most of whom live in Yuma.