Tule Actual Evapotranspiration Sensor

Irrigation decision support systems (IDSS) are integrated solutions that combine and interpret real-time meteorological, soil moisture and crop water stress data to help growers make more efficient irrigation decisions.

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Tule Actual Evapotranspiration Sensor

Tule sensors placed just above a crop’s canopy measure Actual Evapotranspiration (ETa) and provide growers real-time ETa data, crop water stress, irrigation monitoring, and irrigation suggestions daily.

Hub Highlights:

Sensor installation is performed by Tule. In-line pressure switches may be installed by Tule or by the grower.
Tule's online dashboard and mobile app allow the ability to forecast and target plant water stress and canopy development.
Measures flow of a single drip line in duration (h) or volume (in).

Last Edited on: December 2025

Manufacturer	Tule Technologies (now a part of CropX)
Product Name	Tule Actual Evapotranspiration Sensor
General Specifications	Need info from provider
Data Resolution	Hourly reporting
Canopy/Field Coverage	Dependendend on the crop, topography, and goals of the farmer. The standard recommendation is one device per management zone.
Type of Telemetry	Minimum 4G
Sensor Height/depth	Tule sensors placed just above a crop's canopy
Soil Based	No integration of soil sensors

Last Edited on: December 2025

Sample Size	3
Intersensor Variaibility	3.3±2.3%
Correlation with Research Grade Instrumentation	0.83
Annual operating power of sensor - 30 acre farm (kWh/ha)	Self-contained solar
Annual operating power of sensor - 300 acre farm (kWh/ha)	Self-contained solar
Annual operating power of sensor - 3000 acre farm (kWh/ha)	Self-contained solar
Potential energy savings from reduced irrigation water pumping due to more accurate water consumption usage data	23%
Surface water (kWh/ha)	20
Shallow groundwater - 8 m well (kWh/ha)	86
Deep groundwater - 50 m well (kWh/ha)	371
COMET estimate of power savings (kWh/ha)	27.9
DNDC model N2O emission reductions (kg N/ha/yr)	0.27
DNDC model CH4 emission reductions (kg C/ha/yr)	No appreciable differences based on model

Last Edited on: December 2025

Data Collection

Sample Size

Usability and performance

How does the IDSS appear in the grower's field and how often can/should the user interface with the IDSS?

The Tule sensor appears as a small above canopy sensor tower (looks like a small meteorological station) and its height depends on the height of the cropping system. Users can monitor sensor outputs instantaneously via smartphone apps and should monitor at the scale of Irrigation scheduling (daily-weekly)

Installation

How long does installation take and who does installation?

The company installs the sensors and coordinates with the grower on the best day/time for sensor installation.

Installation/Removal

Can this remain in place around planting, harvest activities?

In annual crops like processing tomato, installation and removal occur around planting and harvest processes. In perennial crops like almond or pistachio, the Tule can remain in row during harvest operations, but is typically removed by the company during the non-irrigating winter months

Maintenance

What types of in-season maintenance are required?

Make sure plant growth or vines are trimmed near the sensor so they do not get ensnared in wires or the cube protecting the inner thermocouple sensor. Make sure the protecting cube is maintains its position around the sensor. Keep solar panel facing south and periodically clean it to ensure there is no debris. Make sure the pressure switch is connected to the irrigation line and no damage is done to the tube connected to the pressure switch.