<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The use of electromagnetic (EM) soil moisture probes is proliferating rapidly, in two broad domains: in field and laboratory <italic>research</italic>; and in strongly <italic>practical applications</italic> such as irrigation scheduling in farms or horticultural enterprises, and hydrological monitoring. Numerous commercial EM probes are available for measurement of volumetric water content (θ<italic>v</italic>), spanning a range of measurement principles, and of probe dimensions and sensing volumes. However probe calibration (i.e. the relationship of actual θ<italic>v</italic> to probe electrical output) can shift, often substantially, with variations in parameters such as soil texture, organic matter content, wetness range, electrical conductivity and temperature. Hence a single-valued, manu-facturer-supplied calibration function is often inadequate, forcing the user to seek an application-specific calibration. The purpose of this paper is to describe systematic procedures which probe users can use to check or re-determine the calibration of their selected probe(s). Given the wide diversity of operating principles and designs of commercially-available EM probes, we illustrate these procedures with results from our own calibrations of five different short probes (length of 5 to 20 cm). Users are strongly recommended to undertake such calibration checks, which provide both a) pre-use experience, and b) more reliable in-use data.</abstract>

The use of electromagnetic (EM) soil moisture probes is proliferating rapidly, in two broad domains: in field and laboratory research; and in strongly practical applications such as irrigation scheduling in farms or horticultural enterprises, and hydrological monitoring. Numerous commercial EM probes are available for measurement of volumetric water content (θv), spanning a range of measurement principles, and of probe dimensions and sensing volumes. However probe calibration (i.e. the relationship of actual θv to probe electrical output) can shift, often substantially, with variations in parameters such as soil texture, organic matter content, wetness range, electrical conductivity and temperature. Hence a single-valued, manu-facturer-supplied calibration function is often inadequate, forcing the user to seek an application-specific calibration. The purpose of this paper is to describe systematic procedures which probe users can use to check or re-determine the calibration of their selected probe(s). Given the wide diversity of operating principles and designs of commercially-available EM probes, we illustrate these procedures with results from our own calibrations of five different short probes (length of 5 to 20 cm). Users are strongly recommended to undertake such calibration checks, which provide both a) pre-use experience, and b) more reliable in-use data.

Calibrating electromagnetic short soil water sensors

Institute of Hydraulics and Rural Water Management, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria

Soil & Physical Sciences Department, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand

Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrology, Račianska 75, 831 02 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

{"article-title":"Calibrating electromagnetic short soil water sensors"}

The use of electromagnetic (EM) soil moisture probes is proliferating rapidly, in two broad domains: in field and laboratory research; and in strongly...

Calibrating electromagnetic short soil water sensors

Publié en ligne: 25 juin 2010

Pages: 114 - 125

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10098-010-0011-3

Mots clés
snímače vlhkosti pôdy, elektromagnetické snímače, TDR, kalibrácia

This content is open access.

Calibrating electromagnetic short soil water sensors

Publié en ligne: 25 juin 2010

Pages: 114 - 125

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10098-010-0011-3

Mots cléssnímače vlhkosti pôdy, elektromagnetické snímače, TDR, kalibrácia

This content is open access.

Mots clés
snímače vlhkosti pôdy, elektromagnetické snímače, TDR, kalibrácia