Soil type affects accuracy of dielectric moisture sensors

Hanson, B; Peters, D

Soil type affects accuracy of dielectric moisture sensors

Authors

Blaine R. Hanson
Douglas Peters

Authors Affiliations

B.R. Hanson is Extension Irrigation and Drainage Specialist; D. Peters is Staff Research Associate, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 54(3):43-47. DOI:10.3733/ca.v054n03p43. May 2000.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

Several types of dielectric soil moisture sensors were evaluated at various locations in California. The TRASE and ThetaProbe devices were reasonably accurate over a range of soil textures. In silt loam and silty clay soil types, the Enviroscan readings were inaccurate. The Aquaterr meter, which provides a qualitative measurement of soil moisture content, responded to changes in soil moisture content for several different soils, but little response occurred in one sandy soil.

References

Baker JM, Lascano RJ. The spatial sensitivity of time-domain reflectometry. Soil Sci. 1989. 147(5):378-84. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-198905000-00009

Frueh WT, Hopmans JW. Soil moisture calibration of a TDR multilevel probe in gravelly soils. Soil Sci. 1997. 162(8):554-65. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-199708000-00004

Leib B, Matthews G. Relative accuracy of soil moisture sensors used in Washington State. ASAE/CSAE/SCGR Annual International Meeting, July 18-22, Toronto, Canada 1999.

Paltineanu IC, Starr JL. Real-time soil water dynamics using multisensor capacitance probes: laboratory calibration. Proceedings of the Soil Sci Soc Am. 1997. 61:1576-85.

White I, Zegelin SJ, Wilson LG, Everett LG, Cullen SJ. Electric and dielectric methods for monitoring soil-water content. Handbook of Vadose Zone Characterization and Monitoring.. 1995. Lewis Publishers. 752p.

Also in this issue:

An ecological comparison of spiders from urban and natural habitats in California

UC research can foster science-based land-use planning

Sharpshooter on the move

Oaks deaths become epidemic

Wine growers face new complexities

Mapping vineyard expansion provides information on agriculture and the environment

Modeling vineyard expansion, potential habitat fragmentation

How the GIS was used to map and quantify policy impacts

Publicly funded weather database benefits users statewide

Avocado and citrus orchards along the coast may use less water

Broccoli residues can control Verticillium wilt of cauliflower

Commercial handling influences quality and ripening of Bartlett pears

Monitoring soil moisture helps refine irrigation management

Effectiveness of tensiometers and electrical resistance sensors varies with soil conditions

Harvest mechanization helps agriculture remain competitive