About

About

Two Decades of Innovative R&D

After thousands of successful projects in Europe, North Africa, and Latin America since 2004, AQUA4D expanded into North America. Since the mid-2010s, more and more American growers have been benefitting from the benefits of Precision Irrigation. R&D is at the heart of the firm’s evolution, involving groundbreaking innovation with every iteration.

Certifications

Certified Swiss Quality

Our technology is assembled to the highest IECEE & ISO 9001 specifications, and is recognized as one of Solar Impulse’s “1000 solutions that protect the environment”.

Ongoing Consultancy and Support

Technical Expertise for Coordinated Project Efficiency

Over the years, AQUA4D’s technical team has developed a unique workflow model when kicking off projects. Based on past experience, scientific methods, and the effective implementation of our technology, this ongoing consultancy and technical support makes projects thrive from day one thanks to well-coordinated processes. In doing so, we help create lasting shared value for your project and beyond.

Academic Research Partnerships

Scientific Collaborations

AQUA4D works closely with leading universities which have researched the efficacy of its technology in a variety of settings, including University of California, Brazil’s UNESP and France’s INRAE. Below you can find a selection of studies from various scientific institutions around the world.

1. Effect of AQUA4D water treatment in leaching of salts from soil and relative hydraulic conductivity of treated and untreated water

Research Institution
ICWT – International Center for Water Technology, California – United Sates, 2018

Team:

  • Dave Goorahoo, Associate Professor
  • Charles Cochran, Research assistant / Graduate student

Solution investigated
Saline water
Effect on soil structure

Soil structure
Soil without plants

Main results:

AQUA4D-treated water leached approximately 2.3 times more ions per unit of water than the non-treated water

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Influence of AQUA4D treatment in removing nematodes

2. Effect of AQUA4D on the development of basil in soilless cultivation with 2 levels of irrigation water salinity

Research Institution
Mediplant – Swiss research institute for aromatic and medicinal plants, Switzerland, 2016

Team:

  • Xavier Simonnet R&D Manager

Solution investigated
Saline water

Crop
Basil

Main results:

  • A significant increase of 10% in the yield of dry leaves
  • P and Ca contents of the leaves are significantly higher

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D on the development of basil in soilless cultivation with 2 levels of irrigation water salinity

3. Soil Column Study at Fresno State California

Research Institution
Fresno State – Center for Irrigation Technology, 2018

Team:

  • Tim Jacobsen
  • Charles F. Cochran
  • Janet Robles
  • Dave Goorahoo Ph.D.

Solution investigated
Saline Water

Crop
leaching of salts in soil

Main results:

  • AQUA4D leachate was consistently higher than the control
  • AQUA4D treated water leached approximately 2.3 times more ions per unit of water than the non-treated water

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Soil Column Study at Fresno State California

4. Influence of AQUA4D treatment in removing nematodes

Research Institution
Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil, Research Station ACW, National – Competence Center for Nematology, Switzerland, 2010

Team:

  • Dr Sebastian Kiewnick

Solution investigated
Nematodes

Crop
Toamtoes

Main results:

  • Higher plant growth and vigor
  • Less stress for the plant
  • Lower Gall index and lower eggs number = nematode population controlled and reduced damage to plants

Article published in the Journal Water Research 83 (2015) 184-194

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Influence of AQUA4D treatment in removing nematodes

5. Effect of AQUA4D-treated water on germination of maize seeds

Research Institution
INRGREF National Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Water and Forests, Tunisia, 2013

Team:

  • Pr. Mohamed Hachicha

Solution investigated
Saline water

Crop
Maize seeds

Main results:

  • Faster germination
  • Higher germination rate: between 10 and 25% according to the AQUA4D® treatment time and salinity of water samples

Article published in the Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2016-Elsevier Editorial System). Manuscript Number: JSSAS-D-14-00103R1

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D-treated water on germination of maize seeds

6. Control of plant-parasitic nematodes using AQUA4D

Research Institution
VOLCANI Center, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Nematology department, Israel, 2012

Team:

  • Pr. Yitzhak Spiegel

Solution investigated
Biofilm reduction, Nematodes

Crop
Tomatoes

Main results:

  • Higher plant growth and vigor
  • Better root development
  • Lower Gall index and lower eggs number = nematode population controlled and reduced damage to plants

Article published in the Journal Water Research 83 (2015) 184-194

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Control of plant-parasitic nematodes using AQUA4D

7. Effect of AQUA4D water treatment on irrigation water in melon crops

Research Institution
Higher Agronomical Institute of Chott Meriem, Tunisia, 2012

Team:

  • Dr. Bouthaina AL Mohandes Dridi
  • Pr. Najet Raouani Horrigue
  • Falfoul Karima, engineer student

Solution investigated
Nematodes

Crop
Melon

Main results:

  • Higher plant growth and vegetation
  • Lower Gall index = nematode population controlled and reduced damage to plants
  • Increase in production: +42%
  • More efficient than Rugby nematicide

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D water treatment on irrigation water in melon crops

8. Study of the influence of AQUA4D on tomato crops in a greenhouse in the presence of nematodes

Research Institution
CATV Centre for Technical Adaptation and Extension, jointly with the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy in Agadir, Morocco, 2012

Team:

  • Dr. Boujmaa SIRAT, Head of the CATV
  • Mrs. Zahra Ferji, nematologist at the Agronomic and Veterinary Institute Hassan II

Solution investigated
Nematodes

Crop
Tomatoes

Main results:

  • Lower Gall index and lower eggs number = nematodes control and reduced damages on plants
  • Increase in production: +42%

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Study of the influence of AQUA4D on tomato crops in a greenhouse in the presence of nematodes

9. Effect of using AQUA4D brackish water on irrigated bell pepper crops

Research Institution
Water and Environmental Research Laboratory (WERL), Faculty of Science and Technology, Al-Quds University, jointly with USAID and the Technical and Applied Research Center (TARC), Occupied Palestinian Territory 2012-2013

Team:

  • Amer Marei and Dia Rdaydeh, WERL
  • Dia Karajeh, USAID
  • Nawaf Abu-Khalaf, TARC

Solution investigated
Saline water and water savings

Crop
Bell-peppers

Main results:

  • Higher plant growth and vegetation
  • Better quality
  • Increase in nutrient absorption
  • Water savings: 15%
  • Increase in production: +20%

Article published in the Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology A4 (2014) 830-838

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of using AQUA4D brackish water on irrigated bell pepper crops

10. Effect of AQUA4D-treated water on germination of maize seeds

Research Institution
INRGREF National Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Water and Forests, Tunisia, 2013

Team:

  • Pr. Mohamed Hachicha

Solution investigated
Saline water

Crop
Maize seeds

Main results:

  • Faster germination
  • Higher germination rate: between 10 and 25% according to the AQUA4D® treatment time and salinity of water samples

Article published in the Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2016-Elsevier Save Editorial System). Manuscript Number: JSSAS-D-14-00103R1

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D-treated water on germination of maize seeds

11. AQUA4D treatment of saline irrigation water: impact on the growth and yields of a tomato crop

Research Institution
CRRA Regional Center for Agronomical Research, jointly with INRGREF, Tunisia, 2013

Team:

  • Pr. Hajlaoui Hichem, CRRA
  • Pr. Borgi Ziad, CRRA
  • Pr. Mohamed Hachicha, INRGREF

Solution investigated
Saline water

Crop
Tomatoes

Main results:

  • Higher plant growth
  • Better quality
  • Higher yields: +96% (close to yields with potable water)

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: AQUA4D treatment of saline irrigation water: impact on the growth and yields of a tomato crop

12. Effect of AQUA4D water treatment on irrigation water in a melon crop

Research Institution
Higher Agronomical Institute ISA Chott Meriem, Tunisia, 2013

Team:

  • Dr. Bouthaina AL Mohandes Dridi
  • Pr Najet Raouani Horrigue
  • Mabrouk Amina, engineer student

Solution investigated
Nematodes

Crop
Melon

Main results:

  • Higher plant growth and vegetation
  • Better root development
  • Better fruit quality
  • Increase in production: +6%
  • No significant effect on nematodes (Gall index) due to a severe initial infestation

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D water treatment on irrigation water in a melon crop

13. Evaluation of the effect of AQUA4D on the leaching of salts in soils

Research Institution
INRGREF National Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Water and Forests, Tunisia, 2016-2018

Team:

  • Prof. Mohamed Hachicha, INRGREF
  • Mohamed BOUHLEL, Master Student

Solution investigated
Saline wate

Crop
Soil only, without plants

Main results:

  • The volumes of drainage water from AQUA4D-treated irrigation water are significantly higher and the salt concentrations are also higher

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D-irrigated saline water on quality and yields of vineyard with salt saturated soil

14. Effect of AQUA4D-irrigated saline water on quality and yields of vineyard with salt saturated soil

Research Institution
ICA Iber Carthage Agro, Tunisia, 2013-2015

Team:

  • Mamdouh Trabelsi

Solution investigated
Saline wate – Salt saturated soils

Crop
Vineyard

Main results:

  • Higher plant growth, vigor and vegetation
  • Higher length and volume of bunch of grapes: 15-20%
  • Improvement of class grapes
  • Decrease in salt conductivity of the soil
  • Increase in production: +15%

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D-irrigated saline water on quality and yields of vineyard with salt saturated soil

15. Study of the influence of AQUA4D with and without nematicide (Dischloropropene), on a melon culture in a greenhouse in the presence of nematodes

Research Institution
CATV Centre for Technical Adaptation and Extension, Morocco, 2014

Team:

  • Dr. Boujmaa SIRAT, Head of the CATV

Solution investigated
Nematodes

Crop
Melon

Main results:

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Study of the influence of AQUA4D with and without nematicide (Dischloropropene), on a melon culture in a greenhouse in the presence of nematodes

16. Investigation into the leaching effect of AQUA4D

Research Institution
INRGREF National Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Water and Forests, Tunisia, 2016-2018

Team:

  • Prof. Mohamed Hachicha, INRGREF
  • Mohamed BOUHLEL, Master Student

Solution investigated
Saline water

Crop
Soil only, without plants

Main results:

  • The volumes of drainage water from AQUA4D-treated irrigation water are significantly higher and the salt concentrations are also higher

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Investigation into the leaching effect of AQUA4D

17. Effect of AQUA4D treatment of irrigation water on melons grown in the Arava valley

Research Institution
Arava Development Company, Zohar Research Center, Israel, 2015-2016

Team:

  • Dr. Effi Tripler

Solution investigated
Saline water

Crop
Melons

Main results:

  • A reduced uptake of sodium and chloride
  • An increased production yields

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D treatment of irrigation water on melons grown in the Arava valley

18. Influence of AQUA4D treatment on the plant growth, water use and water use efficiency in greenhouse irrigated crops

Research Institution
UIB University of the Balearic Islands, Research Group on Plant – Biology under Mediterranean Conditions, Spain, 2015-2016

Team:

  • Dr. Hipólito Medrano Gil
  • Dra Josefina Bota Salort

Solution investigated
Water savings

Crop
Tomatoes

Main results:

  • Improvement of production yield: +10%
  • Improvement of all quality criteria:
  • o Brix +12%
  • o Firmness +35%
  • o Total titrable acidity +42%

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Influence of AQUA4D treatment on the plant growth, water use and water use efficiency in greenhouse irrigated crops

19. Effect of AQUA4D treatment of irrigation water, on nematodes attacking guava trees

Research Institution
Nilo Coelho Project

Team:

  • Producer – Agronomist Josival Amorin
  • Nilo Coelho Project

Solution investigated
Nematodes (Meloidogyne enterolobii)

Crop
Guava

Main results:

  • All trees that were attacked by nematodes have recovered a good shape and are now able to produce fruits

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D treatment of irrigation water, on nematodes attacking guava trees

20. Effect of AQUA4D treatment on treated wastewater used for irrigation

Research Institution
INRGREF National Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Water and Forests, Tunisia

Team:

  • Prof. Mohamed Hachicha, INRGREF
  • Malek Moussa, PhD Student

Solution investigated
Saline water, Treated wastewater

Crop
Maize

Main results:

  • REPORT UNDER WRITTING

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D treatment on treated wastewater used for irrigation

21. Effect of AQUA4D treatment of irrigation water on the control and development of soybean nematodes

Research Institution
UNESP – Faculty of agricultural and veterinary sciences – Campus of Jaboticabal – Department of Plant Protection – Brazil, 2016

Team:

  • Prof. Dr. Pedro Soares – Nematologist

Solution investigated
Nematodes

Crop
Soybean

Main results:

  • NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D treatment of irrigation water on the control and development of soybean nematodes

22. Evaluation of the effect of AQUA4D on the leaching of salts in soils according to salinity of irrigation water.

Research Institution
INRGREF National Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Water and Forests, Tunisia, 2016-2018

Team:

  • Prof. Mohamed Hachicha, INRGREF
  • Mohamed BOUHLEL, Master Student

Solution investigated
Saline Water

Crop
Soil only, without plants

Main results:

  • The volumes of drainage water from AQUA4D-treated irrigation water are significantly higher and the salt concentrations are also higher

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Evaluation of the effect of AQUA4D on the leaching of salts in soils according to salinity of irrigation water.

23. Effect of AQUA4D on the development of tomato crops in soilless cultivation with 5 concentrations of irrigation water salinity (0; 1.5; 3.0; 4.5; 6 dS m-1)

Research Institution
UNESP – São Paulo State University, Brazil, 2017 – 2019

Team:

  • Pr Fernando Putti

Solution investigated
Saline Water

Crop
Tomatoes

Main results:

  • Analysis of the results in progress

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Effect of AQUA4D on the development of tomato crops in soilless cultivation with 5 concentrations of irrigation water salinity (0; 1.5; 3.0; 4.5; 6 dS m-1)

24. Study on the effect of AQUA4D on a coffee crop

Research Institution
Campo & Negocios, 2018; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

Team:

  • Eusimo F. Fraga Junior
  • André L. T. Fernandes
  • Gilmar J. da Silva Junir
  • Arianne Rodrigues Xavier
  • Charles F. Cochran
  • Janet Robles
  • Dave Goorahoo Ph.D.

Solution investigated
Coffee Crop

Main results:

  • Water savings: 25%
  • Production increase: 15%

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Study on the effect of AQUA4D on a coffee crop

25. The effects of using AQUA4D-treated brackish water on oregano yields

Research Institution
Water and Environmental Research Laboratory (WERL), Faculty of Science and Technology, Al-Quds University, jointly with USAID, Occupied Palestinian Territory 2012-2013

Team:

  • Maram Bseleh and Amer Marei, WERL
  • Dia Karajeh, USAID

Solution investigated
Saline water and water savings

Main results:

  • Higher germination rate
  • Decrease in the number of clogged drippers
  • Higher plant growth and vegetation
  • Increased Water Use Efficiency: +25%
  • Increase in production: +26 %
  • Higher chlorophyll content

Article published in the International Journal of Environmental & Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) ISSN:[2454-1850] [Vol-2, Issue-12, December- 2016]

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: The effects of using AQUA4D-treated brackish water on oregano yields

26. Micro- and macrostructure changes of soil under irrigation with AQUA4D-treated water

Research Institution
INRGREF National Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Water and Forests, INAT National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, INRAE, Rennes, France, 2016-2018

Team:

  • Malak Moussa INRGREF and INAT
  • Vincent Hallaire INRAE
  • Didier Michot INRAE
  • Mohamed Hachicha INRGREF

Solution investigated
Effect on soil structure

Soil structure

  • Sandy clay loam texture
  • Clay (26 %)
  • Silt (44 %)
  • Sand (30 %)

Main results:

  • Increased soil porosity at the macroscopic and microscopic scale
  • The improvement in soil micro porosity explains an increased water retention and availability in the root zone
  • The improvement in macro soil porosity explains an increased drainage of water

Article published in the Journal Soil & Tillage Research (2020-Elsevier).

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: Micro- and macrostructure changes of soil under irrigation with AQUA4D-treated water

27. AQUA4D water enhanced metabolism and agro-physiological responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L) under saline conditions

Research Institution
Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia, 2015-2016

Team:

  • Rawaa Akrimi – Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
  • Hichem Hajlaoui – Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Sidi Bouzid (CRRA), Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia
  • Giorgia Batelli, Alessandra Ruggiero, Stefania Grillo – National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, Research Division Portici (CNRIBBR), Portici, Italy
  • Mounawer Badri – Laboratory of Extremophile Plants, Centre of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
  • Mahmoud Mhamdi – Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott Mariem, Sousse, Tunisia

Solution investigated
Effects of saline irrigation treated with AQUA4D® on yield, metabolism, and some physiological traits of potato over two growing seasons.

Culture

  • Potato: Spunta, Bellini and Alaska varieties

Main results:

  • Soil salinity reduction by 25%
  • Positive effect on root growth
  • Increased yields

Several variables and specific data for each variety of potato were also analyzed.

Article published in the Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science (Wiley).

Contact us for more detailed information about this study: AQUA4D water enhanced metabolism and agro-physiological responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L) under saline conditions