Evaluation of Soil Moisture Sensing Technologies of On-Farm Irrigation Water Management. (S06-harms425820-poster)
Authors:
T.E. Harms* - Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development W.D. Helgason - Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development D.R. Bennett - Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Abstract:
Soil moisture monitoring in irrigated fields is the key to efficient irrigation management. A 3 year study commenced in spring of 2000 with the objectives to evaluate and demonstrate various commercially available soil moisture monitoring instruments covering the range of installation, modern technology and usage. The soil moisture monitoring instruments were evaluated based on their suitability for use on-farm for irrigation scheduling. The instruments tested were the Hydrosense by Campbell Scientific, Theta Probe and PR1-6 by Delta-T Devices, R.F. Soil Moisture Sensor by AquaPro, Watermark by
Irrometer and the C-Probe by Adcon. The R.F. soil moisture probe scored the highest in 2000 for ease of use, easily understood visual display and installation. Accuracy of the probes was determined by comparing available soil moisture percentage calculated from the readings of the various sensors to those calculated from the readings of a CPN 503 soil moisture probe. The R.F. Sensor, ThetaProbe and Watermark were all comparable in their accuracy in 2000. There was limited testing of the Hydrosense in 2000 due to problems encountered with the hand held meter. The PR1-6 was only tested for accuracy in 2002. The C-Probe was not tested for accuracy.
Speaker Information: Ted Harms, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Provincial Building 220 - 4th Ave. W., Brooks, AB T1R 0E9; Phone: (403) 362 1222; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Tuesday, November 4, 2003, 2:00 PM-4:00 PM Presentation Start: 2:00 PM (Poster Board Number: 1331)
