Monitoring soil moisture
As we head into spring it is important to start monitoring soil moisture so you know when to start irrigating.
Soil moisture sensors can help to understand what is happening in the root zone of your crop.
To be used effectively, soil moisture sensors must be used in an irrigation shift that delivers water evenly, be installed correctly and placed in an area which is representative of the crop being grown.
There are basically two groups of sensors; water potential types such as tensiometers and various forms of granular matrix sensors and soil moisture sensors that give a percentage or relative content of soil moisture.
Soil moisture sensors only measure a tiny area of an irrigation shift and should not be the only tool used in an irrigator’s tool box.
Correct irrigation should be a mix of evaporation based scheduling, soil moisture monitoring and grower observation.
Unless using a system that measures both soil moisture content and plant available water, crop water sensitivity and soil type should guide your purchase when selecting sensors.
Remember that soil monitoring is just one tool to assist irrigation scheduling.
Other steps to deliver the best irrigation outcome for your crop will include using evaporation or evapotranspiration as a reference, knowing your soil type and crop and using good irrigation design to delivering water evenly.
For more information on sensor types and advice on choosing a probe for your farm visit soil moisture monitoring – a selection guide.
For more information contact Rohan Prince, Director, South Perth on +61 (0)8 9368 3210.