Calibration and Evaluation of an Improved Low-Cost Soil Moisture Sensor (13492-01 AN)
Irrigation scheduling in agriculture and turf requires a soil moisture sensor (SMS) that is accurate, reliable, and low-cost. Although there are many SMS on the market, their use is limited because they fall short in one of these areas. A need exists for a sensor that offers high quality measurements yet is inexpensive enough to appeal to all in commercial irrigation. The objectives of this study were to determine how a new, low cost SMS performed in a variety of soils with varying water contents and electrical conductivities (EC) and study its durability in the field. The SMS showed no differences in calibration between the sand, silt loam, and clay soils that were tested, even over a wide range of EC. Field tests also showed good reliability over a season of measurements. Results indicate that the new SMS would be a useful tool to measure soil moisture and schedule irrigation.
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