Hydrorocks are compressed blocks of stone wool, which, when connected to an irrigation system, can retain 95 per cent of their volume as water near the soil surface between orchard trees.
A Queensland water management company has showcased its use of a Kyabram cherry orchard to demonstrate the water-saving potential of a new innovation it says will revolutionise irrigation.
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Marco van Velzen hosted a field day for about 12 local horticulturalists and researchers on Tuesday, October 23 at The Happy Orchard to demonstrate the use of ‘Hydrorocks’.
Hydrorocks are made of ‘stone wool’ — a material manufactured from basalt rock heated to 1800°C and then formed into a fibrous material — which is then shaped into rectangular blocks.
The blocks are designed to retain water close to the soil surface.
Mr van Velzen said a four-year trial in Dubai had saved 70 per cent of water in a mature date plantation.
“We know we save 70 per cent of water compared to traditional growing in the desert,” Mr van Velzen said.
“If you compare with this, traditional growing is totally opposite.
“Traditionally you have nozzles, you give trees water and then water flows everywhere and you lose a lot of water.”
Marco van Velzen with a Hydrorock of suitable size to be buried between two cherry trees.
Hydrorock uses the technology of Dutch company Grodan to produce the blocks, which are buried between fruit trees and then connected with an orchard’s irrigation system.
Mr van Velzen said the blocks could hold 95 per cent of their volume as water.
The system is designed to then be controlled from an app to release more water through the irrigation system to refill the blocks.
“That’s how it works, it’s all automatic; we have sensors inserted so we can monitor the soil moisture in the ground from the blocks,” he said.
Anthony Rullo established The Happy Orchard in July 2022 and compared a ‘control’ stand of trees growing beside trees using Hydrorocks.
“I only watered them yesterday (and) they’re about to start wilting,” Mr Rullo said.
“But I can stop watering these ones for five days and I cannot tell the difference whether it’s got water or not.
“I just can’t believe how good it is — I’m sold.”
The blocks were originally designed to catch stormwater from downpipes to act as ‘buffers’, which then drain that water slowly into surrounding soil.
“You want to bring water back to the soil where it belongs, better for the health there, for trees, for the environment, and the next day it is ready for the next downpour,” Mr van Velzen said.
He also said the project had received funding from the Dutch government and involved the co-operation of two Australian and two overseas universities.
He said the product would need further testing before seeking investment.
“We would like to monitor this for another two (or) three years; we’re hoping we get some grants from the Australian government to continue,” Mr van Velzen said.
“Because it’s a brand new irrigation. It’s totally new. It’s amazing.”
Stone wool is made from basalt rock and then compressed into Hydrorocks.
Orchardist Anthony Rullo said he could see a big difference between trees that did and did not have Hydrorocks as part of their irrigation. “I just can’t believe how good it is,” he said.
