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You’re a farmer who needs to monitor soil moisture. What’s the most reliable tool for the job?

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Soil moisture is a key factor for crop growth, yield, and quality. As a farmer, you need to monitor it regularly and accurately to optimize your irrigation, fertilization, and pest management practices. But what is the most reliable tool for the job? In this article, you will learn about the different types of soil moisture sensors, how they work, and what are their advantages and disadvantages.

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Vishal S.

Proud Bihari | Voice of Agri

1 Types of sensors

There are two main types of soil moisture sensors: volumetric and tensiometric. Volumetric sensors measure the amount of water in a given volume of soil, usually expressed as a percentage. Tensiometric sensors measure the tension or suction that plants need to extract water from the soil, usually expressed in kilopascals (kPa). Both types of sensors can provide useful information, but they have different applications and limitations.

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Vishal S.

Proud Bihari | Voice of Agri
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Here are some of my top picks as a dedicated farm technology expert: 1. Hydrofarm Active Air 3-Way Meter: Provides readings for moisture, pH, and light levels, doesn't require batteries and probe extends six inches deep 2. Atree Soil Meter 3-in-1 3. Dr. Meter Soil Meter: This is also a recommended choice 4. A. M. Leonard Soil Moisture Meter: This meter is also highly rated 5. Bluelab Pulse Multimedia Meter: This is a more advanced option 6. AgraTronix 4-in-1 Soil Moisture Tester: This tester provides multiple readings 7. REOTEMP Moisture Meter: This is another reliable choice 8. Sustee Aquameter: This is a good option for indoor plants 9. XLUX Soil Moisture Meter: This meter is very easy to read and doesn't require batteries

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2 How they work

Volumetric sensors work by sensing the dielectric constant of the soil, which changes with the water content. The most common volumetric sensors are capacitance and time domain reflectometry (TDR) sensors. Capacitance sensors use electrodes to create an electric field in the soil and measure the capacitance between them. TDR sensors use probes to send and receive electromagnetic pulses along a cable and measure the travel time of the pulses.

Tensiometric sensors work by sensing the pressure difference between the soil and a water-filled chamber. The most common tensiometric sensors are tensiometers and granular matrix sensors (GMS). Tensiometers use a porous ceramic tip connected to a water-filled tube and a pressure gauge. GMS use a synthetic material that absorbs water and changes its electrical resistance with the soil tension.

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3 Advantages and disadvantages

Volumetric sensors have the advantage of directly measuring the water content of the soil, which is easy to interpret and compare across different soils and locations. They also have a fast response time and a low maintenance cost. However, they have some disadvantages, such as being affected by soil salinity, temperature, and bulk density. They also require calibration for each soil type and may not capture the spatial variability of the soil moisture.

Tensiometric sensors have the advantage of measuring the water availability for plants, which is more relevant for irrigation scheduling and crop stress assessment. They also have a low power consumption and a high accuracy. However, they have some disadvantages, such as being sensitive to air entrapment, clogging, and freezing. They also require frequent refilling and may not cover the entire range of soil moisture conditions.

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4 The most reliable tool

So, what is the most reliable tool for monitoring soil moisture? The answer depends on your specific needs, goals, and resources. There is no single best sensor for all situations. You may need to use a combination of sensors to get a comprehensive picture of your soil moisture status. You may also need to consider other factors, such as the installation method, the data transmission system, and the software platform.

The most reliable tool for monitoring soil moisture is the one that suits your context and provides you with actionable insights. To choose the right tool, you need to define your objectives, evaluate your options, and test your results. By doing so, you can improve your agribusiness performance and sustainability.

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thato mokoena

certificate of facilitation skills at Damelin
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For me the soil is natural resources, it is therefore important to keep it fertile and clean, if you are on dry land, avoid soil erosion by ensuring that your slopes are properly done, plant rotation os also very important to maontain the soil minerals. There are plants that spoil the soil if are plant regularly, such as asparagus therefore before planting any product get information on how is the soil going to be affected. Soil moisture can be maintained naturally for planting of vegetables, keep the cut grass on your planted soil after planting your seeds, or use to capture rainwater by making contours

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You’re a farmer who needs to monitor soil moisture. What’s the most reliable tool for the job?

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1 Types of sensors

2 How they work

3 Advantages and disadvantages

4 The most reliable tool

5 Here’s what else to consider

Agribusiness

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