Electromagnetic Soil Moisture Sensor
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Business
Lincoln Agritech's Launches New Electromagnetic Soil Moisture Sensor Called Smarter Irrigation Which Measures Soil Moisture from Above the Grass Surface
Microwave sensors measuring ground moisture with pinpoint accuracy will link to alter the flows of sprinkler heads on centre pivots to reduce nitrogen run-off in technology developed by a Lincoln University company.
Lincoln Agritech's new type of electromagnetic soil moisture sensor, called Smarter Irrigation, is similar to technology used in military radars and measures soil moisture from above the grass surface.
Sitting on top of the boom of a centre pivot irrigator, the sensor points ahead to map the soil moisture of a ground area in front of its path.
Expensive over-watering is avoided and farmers can prevent over-irrigating which can lead to nitrate leaching into groundwater.
The sensors take into account varying soil moisture levels across pastures from uneven irrigating and different soil types, grass growth and grazing.
Chief scientist Dr Ian Woodhead, who came up with the idea, designed the Aquaflex soil moisture measurement tool buried in the ground in long strips. The device, which he created more than 15 years ago, is sold by Streat Instruments.
He said the electromagnetic sensors were the next step to address the many variations that irrigating farmers came across in pastures.
The sensors work out soil moisture levels two metres in advance of the path of the centre pivot and the readings can be used to adjust individual sprinkler head flows when crossing laneways or a dry ridge. Each sprinkler over a centre pivot has thousands of its own readings, with a solenoid valve altering the flow of the sprinkler head.
The technology operates in a similar way to a transmitter in a cellphone. It is aimed at the ground and measures the signal reflected back.
Woodhead said existing ground sensors were in fixed positions buried in the soil, but the Smarter Irrigation system used the movement of centre pivots to cover a greater area.
Soil moisture can vary for many reasons, including pasture length - whether grass has been grazed - or if soils are near moisture-sucking shelter belts or on a rise exposed to wind.
The technology has been proven to work in trials and a working model has been developed.
Business manager Kevin Hurren said the company was in talks with overseas manufacturers of variable rate irrigation systems to commercialise the sensor project. "Guys who have shelled out for variable rate irrigation are committed to water efficiency because they believe in the business case and environmental sustainability."
Source: Stuff
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