Gadget allows plants to send text messages when in need of water

When plants in a farm need water, a clip-in chip device sends a text message notification to the farmer. This helps conserve water, as well as ensure plants are only watered when necessary.

The technology was developed by NASA years ago for future manned missions to the Moon and Mars. The device is similar to a clip-on earring, it's thin and smaller than a regular postage stamp. It's attached to the plant leaf said Richard Stoner, President of AgriHouse, a company marketing the technology Stoner told the Discovery Channel the plant sends a text message to the farmer when it needs water. Most of the water in the Western United States comes from underground aquifers, so this technology will help conserve water. It will also save electricity used for pumping water and could save thousands of dollars every year according to AgriHouse. NASA planned to use it for manned mission in Mars and and the Moon, as plants would be of immense help in space; they can take out carbon dioxide and release breathable oxygen as well as food. Hans-Dieter Seelig, a scientist at the University of Colorado at Boulder, worked on the original NASA project. Seeling and other scientists clipped sensors on to the plants and connected them to a central computer. Whenever plants needed water, it will then alert the astronauts with details on the exact amount of water needed. Thanks to this technology, NASA was able to save 10 to 40 per cent of its water supply. The same technology on Earth can save farmers time and money, as well as preserve resources. Stoner told Discovery they could save hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for farmers. The plants with the device need a power source to take readings and transmit the information over commercial cell phone towers. In the future, these sensors can work independently with batteries and solar panels. Botanicalls technology provides a similar technology for people at home. This service will send a Twitter message, email or text message to alert the owner when it needs water.