Abstract
Part I of this paper describes the design principles, mechanical design and instrumental performance of a soil moisture probe which utilises the principle of measuring the dielectric constant of the soil, and hence its water content, by the capacitance method. This paper discusses the comparison of the capacitance method with established methods of defining and determining water content using the neutron probe and the gravimetric technique. The relationship between the capacitance probe readout and water content is not linear and is influenced by the type of soil. Emphasis is placed on field rather than laboratory calibrations, however, and a linear approximation is adequate for the restricted ranges of water content experienced in practice in many soils. Access tubes must be installed with greater care than for the neutron probe and a technique has been developed that combines installation with collection of relevant samples for gravimetric determination.
Published Version
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