#Galcon drop tool full#

HOW DO THE SENSORS MEASURE SOIL MOISTURE? Graphical interpretation can then be readily converted to numerical analysis for final validation of irrigation scheduling results. It is a powerful tool to graphically relate soil water and salinity data to the ever changing soil water plant atmosphere continuum, providing knowledge and insights. IrriMAX has been developed by experienced soil water specialists for display of and understanding soil water and salinity dynamics. Over a growing season profiling probes such as EnviroSCAN and Drill & Drop provide valuable information regarding crop growth stages, so that intelligent decisions regarding irrigation scheduling and fertilizer applications can me made. Further insights include calculation of water loss, that is water that is draining past the root zone and is wasted. Water uptake by the plant at different depths can clearly be seen – and measured. Where rising water tables are increasing soil moisture, it can be easily identified using profiling probes, as it will start from the lower sensors.īy using continuous data rather than occasional readings, IrriMAX software allows the user to build pictures of changes at any depth in the root zone. When numerical measures of soil water are recorded using continuous monitoring profiling probes – the data set allows analysis to determine not only what the soil moisture levels are, but what is causing them to change.Īt the surface level, a rainfall gauge can help distinguish between rain and irrigation applications, but only a soil moisture probe can show you how much of that rain has moved through the soil to the roots of the crop. Sentek provides the most effective method for measuring soil moisture, and has been the basis for impressive improvements in irrigation mangement strategies. HOW CAN SENTEK TECHNOLOGIES HELP MEASURE AND MONITOR THESE CHANGES? Smarter irrigation scheduling decisions can be made when the manager can identify the amount of soil water available in the root zone, monitor changes in levels at different depths, and understand the causes of the change. Overland flow from higher to lower lying areasĭecreases in soil moisture content can be attributed to:.Increases in soil moisture can be attributed to: WHAT CAUSES CHANGES IN SOIL WATER CONTENT OF THE ROOT ZONE? There are additional environmental risks associated with rising water tables, salinity, and pollution from nutrient and pesticide run-off. Operating costs associated with unnecessary fuel, water and labor expenses can be high. Valuable nutrients can also be leached.Īt ground level, excess weeds may grow (adding further management costs), and clay and loam soils will have an increased risk of compaction – meaning machinery traffic will need to be reduced or stopped.

#Galcon drop tool full#

Water logging, where the pores in the soil that normally allow air to be stored and exchanged are instead full of water, will slow down plant growth, and can encourage disease. Water can be wasted either by runoff at the surface, or through excessive drainage past the active root zone. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF 'TOO MUCH' WATER?Īpplying too much water, or irrigating too often can also bring problems. The crop’s ability to take up nutrients from fertilizer applications could be reduced, resulting in lower yields and wasted inputs.Īs a plant moves into stress it also becomes more susceptible to pests and diseases.Įffective irrigation management is critical – as it impacts yields, quality and operating costs.

The growth yield and quality of the crop will be restricted due to the effects of plant stress. Not applying enough water or applying water too infrequently will have a number of negative effects. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF 'NOT ENOUGH' WATER? Sentek soil moisture probes provide the data needed to make good decisions about how much water to apply, to support plant health, without wasting resources. Quality, accurate, reliable technology is critical to be able to gain these facts. They must be able to calculate the amount of water lost from the root zone, to determine the volume to be applied at the next irrigation. To get optimal results from irrigated crop production, the irrigator must be able to predict the onset of plant water stress points.