By gaining insight into the relationships between water,
sunlight, yield, and taste, Fruition Sciences is showing the way
for farmers of all stripes to increase productivity and quality
in a world of shifting weather patterns and decreasing supplies
of freshwater. …  The Vine Nerds  Data From Vines  To monitor a
grapevine’s water needs, Fruition Sciences uses sensors to
measure sap flow. Here’s how it works. Victoria Tang  1/ Heater
Held in place with Velcro, this orange sleeve applies heat to
the stem.  2/ Thermocouples  These take temperature readings at
the stem surface just before and after the heat is applied. The
differential in the readings reflects how much water is pumping
through the vine.  3/ Aluminum bubble wrap  Shields against
external sources of heat (mostly sunshine) that could interfere
with accurate measurements.  4/ Uplink  This wire connects to a
solar-powered data logger, which transmits real-time information
anywhere in the world.   Photo: Joe Pugliese  Fruition charges a
grape grower $