Soil and Plant Moisture Monitoring

Moisture Mapping remains an essential aspect of agriculture, water management, and environmental research. It provides detailed insights into soil and plant moisture levels, enabling precise irrigation scheduling and optimal crop growth.

How to Monitor Moisture in Soil?

There are several techniques to monitor soil moisture, each with its advantages and limitations:

Gravimetric Method

* Soil samples are collected and weighed.
* They are then oven-dried to remove moisture.
* The difference in weight represents the moisture content.

Tensiometry

* Tensiometers are installed in the soil.
* They measure the negative pressure (tension) in the soil water.
* Higher tension indicates drier soil conditions.

Capacitance Probes

* Capacitance probes use the electrical capacitance between two electrodes to measure soil moisture.
* Higher moisture content increases capacitance.

Neutron Scattering

* This technique utilizes a radioactive source to emit neutrons into the soil.
* Water molecules slow down the neutrons, allowing for an estimation of soil moisture.

Remote Sensing

* Satellite-based sensors can measure surface soil moisture using microwave and thermal infrared bands.
* Provides large-scale moisture mapping over extensive areas.