Sensitivity of PR2 Capacitance Soil Moisture Meter for Irrigation Scheduling

Department Of Mechanical Engineering, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria ,Alhassan A.I,Gbalaja Mayowa,Lecturer, Department Of Agricultural Technology, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Nigeria ,Ayilaran C.I,Olotu Y.*,Lecturer, Department Of Physics, Federal College Of Education, Okene, Nigeria ,Omoakhalen A.I, ,Ososomi A.S

doi:10.35940/ijpte.b2007.081321

Department Of Mechanical Engineering, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria , Alhassan A.I + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.35940/ijpte.b2007.081321

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Abstract

Accurate soil moisture content measurement is essential for designing a robust irrigation scheduling and integrated water resources management (I.W.R.M.). Capacitance-based sensors have widely been used to monitor soil moisture at different measuring depths coupled with continuous and instantaneous outputs. This study's objective was to evaluate the PR2 capacitance moisture meter's performance on mineral and organic soil water content. The outputs of PR2 in m3 /m3 and vol.% were compared with gravimetrically measured soil moisture. The R.M.S.E. measurement at Site A at the first and second replicates increased from 0.49% to 0.67%. In contrast, the r2 value of 0.99 was obtained for the two replications when comparing the soil moisture content observed from gravimetric measurement and the automated outputs from the PR2 Probe soil monitor. The R.M.S.E. values were 0.48%, and 1.32% were estimated for the first and second replications at Site B. The result indicates that the PR2 Profile Probe could be a reliable alternative to other time-consuming, complex computer algorithms for accurate point measurement of soil moisture.

Highlights

Accurate measurement of soil moisture content is crucial for designing a robust irrigation scheduling and a significant hydrological variable component
This study presents the Probe Profile 2 capacitance moisture sensor calibration for mineral and organic soil layer from the field measurement
The soil moisture content is expressed by weight as the ratio of the mass of water present to the soil sample's dry weight

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Accurate measurement of soil moisture content is crucial for designing a robust irrigation scheduling and a significant hydrological variable component. Other point measurements of soil moisture meters such as neutron probe, domain reflectometry, tensiometer, and PR2 capacitance moisture monitor can estimate soil moisture changes in both organic and mineral soils. Calibration is essential when a soil moisture sensor is applied to determine the magnitude of plant water use, soil moisture deficit, and estimate soil water balance [5]. This study presents the Probe Profile 2 capacitance moisture sensor calibration for mineral and organic soil layer from the field measurement. Published By: The field experiment was carried out at different locations at the Department of Agricultural & Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. The primary significance of calibration is to determine the precision and accuracy of the PR2 capacitance moisture meter by matching the value of soil moisture content in percent volume at given measuring depths with the gravimetric method's output

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gravimetric soil sampling

Soil moisture measurement

Calibration and performance evaluation

Findings

CONCLUSION