A new system called irriGATEWAY:SMS has been launched in Townsville, Qld, which sends a daily message to mobile phones giving the owner a reference value to adjust their irrigation time and amounts.

The system uses weather station data to calculate how much water is used by plants through evaporation anywhere in Australia.

Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Craig Wallace launched the system at Day Dawn Nursery in Townsville today, along with Melbourne University PhD student Nicholas Car, who has been working on the project.

Mr Car said the system would be practical and easy to use.

"Growers want to know exactly how much and how long to irrigate their crops. Now they can be sent information to their mobile phone while standing next to their pump," Mr Car said.

"An evaporation index is calculated from a series of meteorological measurements including temperature, wind and solar radiation.

"The index gives a better indication of crop water use than just looking at daily temperature variation - as other weather factors affect it."

Mr Car said turf farmers have shown the strongest interest in the system but it had applications for most other cropping industries.

The system has been developed in conjunction with the Government, the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures, Melbourne University and the CSIRO.

Mr Wallace said as water becomes an increasingly important issue, this sort of technology would become invaluable.

"At a time when we're all concerned with best practice, maximum efficiency and sustainable water use, this system is a real breakthrough," Mr Wallace said.

"I am delighted that we have been able to assist in the development of tools that will help irrigators make the best decisions about water use."