Eisenstadt, 7 May 2026: The ongoing drought in Austria is posing increasingly significant challenges for farmers. Artificial irrigation has become indispensable in many areas. At the same time, groundwater levels are falling to critically low levels. Sustainable solutions are therefore urgently needed. This is where the ‘Green Sentry’ research project by Forschung Burgenland comes in. The aim is to develop an integrated system for efficient drought management in agriculture. At the heart of the system is a LoRaWAN-based sensor network that continuously records soil moisture and environmental data. This data reveals drought stress patterns and enables adaptive, precise irrigation decisions.
Insight into the roots: understanding and strengthening plants
In parallel, the project is analysing automated root phenotyping. This high-resolution image analysis records key metrics such as total length, degree of branching and depth distribution of the roots. Linking this data with the soil measurements enables a deeper understanding of plants’ stress responses.
“With Green Sentry, we are taking a holistic approach: we combine modern sensor technology with biological understanding and innovative materials. In this way, we are laying the foundations for sustainable and economically viable agriculture,” explains project leader Markus Schindler.
Hydrogels as natural water reservoirs
Another innovative approach is the use of hydrogels, which bind water. These store moisture in the soil and release it in a controlled manner during dry spells. This improves soil structure and stabilises water availability for plants in the long term.
Initial trials with grapevines and soya beans show promising results: greater water use efficiency, more uniform root development and stable yields – all without incurring additional costs for the farms.
Research for the energy transition and climate adaptation
“The effects of climate change have long been a reality, particularly in the agricultural sector. That is why it is crucial to develop and expand innovative research approaches now. Forschung Burgenland has been working for several years on sustainable solutions at the interface of digitalisation, energy and agriculture. Projects such as Green Sentry demonstrate how we can use our know-how and technological expertise to provide concrete answers to pressing questions about the future,” emphasises Managing Director Marcus Keding.
The project, spearheaded by Forschung Burgenland, makes an important contribution to digitalisation in the context of the energy transition. At the same time, it addresses one of the key challenges of climate change: ensuring agricultural productivity despite increasing periods of drought.
