Although it is possible that using TDR as a reference may introduce some uncertainty because TDR may have measurement bias, their research demonstrated the variability of accuracy of each sensor when applied over different soils and with different installation configurations. Because of vertical variations of soil texture and water conditions, it is possible that www.selleckchem.com/products/epz-5676.html the soil water sensors may perform differently in different soil layers from the top layer to the bottom layer down a soil profile although there is a lack of such information from the literature review.Given the wide range of sensors and soil types covered in the above-mentioned inter-comparisons, it is safe to conclude that soil moisture sensors performed differently with soil types, different soil depths and different parts of a field [5,10].
Climate and soil physical conditions may be additional factors Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries which directly or indirectly influence the sensitivity of sensors. For example, soil temperature is closely related to the conductivity and movement of soil water [12], which can significantly influence soil water measurements [3,5], in particular, measured by resistance sensors [13-15].Obviously, a soil-specific calibration of each sensor under prevailing climatic conditions is a necessary prerequisite for a sensor to achieve its highest degree of absolute accuracy in soil water content measurements although not the only requirement [5,8,16,17]. However, the calibration conditions may not always be available. An inter-comparison of different sensors with factory calibration or minimum calibration would be very useful for the successful applications Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries of sensors.
On the other hand, as technology advances, improvements have been continuously brought to the soil water sensor market, making it relevant from time to time to investigate new or improved methods for in situ testing to Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries obtain more knowledge than is available from the manufacturer’s technical specifications [3]. Therefore, a carefully designed, in situ test and a field-based inter-comparison of sensors could provide valuable information for a wise application of soil moisture sensors. The Maritime Region Inhibitors,Modulators,Libraries of Canada has a very unique pattern of soil water distribution because of greatly variable weather conditions. An in situ evaluation of soil moisture sensors would assist in the application of soil water sensors for directing water management in this region.
The objectives of this study were Batimastat to: (i) test the performance of several soil moisture sensors with factory calibration or minimum calibration in terms of different soil texture and soil water regimes; and (ii) provide experimentally-based suggestions on the application strategies of the sensors for obtaining acceptable measurements in the east coast Maritime selleck chem inhibitor Region of Canada.2.