Soil moisture plays a crucial role in plant growth, agricultural production, and the ecological environment. Accurately measuring the soil moisture content is the foundation for rational irrigation, precision agriculture, and soil research. Now, let's learn about common soil moisture measurement methods and the FT - S portable Soil moisture monitor.
Common Soil Moisture Measurement Methods
Oven - drying Method
The oven - drying method is a classic and regarded as a standard measurement method. The specific operation is to collect a certain amount of soil samples from the field and then put them into an oven at 105°C for drying until the weights are constant in two consecutive weighings. By calculating the weight difference before and after drying, the soil moisture content can be determined. The calculation formula is: Soil water content = (Soil weight before drying - Soil weight after drying) / Soil weight before drying × 100%. This method provides accurate and reliable measurement results, but the drawback is that it takes a long time for measurement and needs to be completed in a laboratory environment.
TDR Method
The TDR method, that is, the Time - Domain Reflectometry method, and its system is similar to a short - wave radar. The electromagnetic wave it emits propagates in the soil medium, and its conduction constants, such as the attenuation of velocity, depend on the properties of the soil, especially the water content and electrical conductivity in the soil. By measuring the propagation time and reflection of the electromagnetic wave in the soil, the dielectric constant of the soil is calculated, and then the soil moisture content is obtained. This method can directly, quickly, conveniently, and on - site monitor the soil water and salt conditions. Its measurement results are hardly affected by factors such as soil type, density, and temperature, and it can even measure soil moisture under frozen soil conditions.
Introduction to FT - S Portable Soil moisture monitor
Technical Parameters
Measuring Parameters: Mainly measure the volumetric water content of the soil, with the unit of ％ (m³/m³).
Test Sensitivity: Up to ±0.01％ (m³/m³).
Range: The coverage range is 0 - 100％ (m³/m³).
Measurement Accuracy: In the range of 0 - 50％ (m³/m³), the accuracy is ±2％ (m³/m³); in the range of 50 - 100％ (m³/m³), the accuracy is ±3％ (m³/m³).
Resolution: Can be accurate to 0.1%.
Measurement Area: 90% of the influence is concentrated in a cylinder with a diameter of 3 cm and a length of 6 cm around the probe.
Stabilization Time: It can be stabilized about 10 seconds after being powered on.
Response Time: It can enter the stable process within 1 second.
Power Supply Method: It can be powered by a lithium - ion battery or connected to AC power.
Communication Method: Adopts a USB2.0 interface for communication.
Outstanding Performance
Adopts an integrated structure design, integrating the liquid - crystal display instrument, sensor, and portable carrying case into a portable carrying case. It is small in size, simple to operate, reliable in performance, and very convenient for field use.
Equipped with a large - screen liquid - crystal display, which can display temperature values, moisture values, the number of groups, low - voltage warning, and stored data in real - time, greatly facilitating field operations.
The instrument can set a variety of soil texture formulas to meet the moisture measurement needs of different soil textures.
Has data storage and export functions, and can store the soil temperature values and moisture values of each measurement point. The upper - computer software also has very powerful functions. The recorded data can be exported to a computer at any time through a USB interface and stored as an EXCEL table file. It can also generate data curves, which is convenient for further data processing using other analysis software.
Application Scope
The FT - S portable Soil moisture monitor is widely used in many fields such as soil moisture detection, dry - land water - saving irrigation, precision agriculture, forestry, geological exploration, and plant cultivation.
Accurately measuring soil moisture is of great significance for agricultural production, ecological research, and many other aspects. Understanding different measurement methods and devices like the FT - S portable Soil moisture monitor can help us better carry out work related to soil moisture. If you want to know more about the operation details of the tester or the usage skills in different scenarios during practical applications, feel free to communicate with me at any time.
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