Recommended Soil Moisture Monitoring System
Effective soil moisture monitoring systems deliver high-resolution data that tracks water availability in the root zone and provides early warnings of drought stress, irrigation inefficiencies, or potential soil degradation.
Data Logger
Soil moisture monitoring networks are built around the X3 data logger. Featuring pluggable sensor ports, wireless telemetry for remote data acquisition, and a robust enclosure, the X3 delivers reliable performance even in harsh environmental conditions.
Soil Moisture Sensors
Moisture profiling at critical depths in the soil column is facilitated by probes like the Sentek Drill & Drop, a fully encapsulated, easy-to-install soil measurement probe with multi-sensor configurations ranging from 10 cm to 1.2 m.
Power
In remote monitoring applications, the X3 logger is typically powered by solar-charged SP-series power packs. Packs are sized according to regional sunlight conditions and system-specific power demand. A reserve battery delivers reliability in poor weather.
Need More?
NexSens measurement systems are highly flexible and customizable to expand soil moisture monitoring system capabilities. More comprehensive monitoring is achieved by the addition of alternative sensor types.
Weather Stations
Weather conditions are highly relevant to agricultural applications, particularly precipitation rates that directly impact soil moisture. A range of available rain gauge and multi-parameter weather station instruments add meteorological measurements to monitoring systems.
Groundwater Level Measurement
Groundwater levels influence soil moisture conditions and are of interest in many applications. Level is typically measured by a pressure transducer such as the Solinst Water Level Temperature Sensor suspended in a groundwater well.
Water Quality Monitoring
Water quality data may be useful to give indication of nutrient availability and overall soil conditions. Multi-parameter instruments like the YSI EXO deliver a suite of water quality parameters in groundwater, such as conductivity, pH, ORP, DO, and nutrients.
Stormwater Tracking
Measurement of flow rates in the surrounding watershed can help to identify correlations between stormwater runoff and soil conditions. Flow system expansion is possible to add comparative water quality measurements.
Deployment
The tapered shape of the Drill & Drop and corresponding auger facilitate installation directly into the ground with no disturbance of the soil and no slurry required. The fully encapsulated electronics withstand long-term deployments and movement between sites. Probes connect to an X-Series data logger, typically mounted to a nearby mast or structure using the PM2 data logger mounting kit. Sensor cables should be routed through protective conduit to avoid damage, particularly in areas where machinery will pass.
Real-Time Soil Moisture Data
Telemetry-equipped soil moisture monitoring systems transmit data in near real-time to the WQData LIVE web datacenter via Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, or Iridium satellite.
The free service offered at the WQData LIVE Basic tier allows users to view, manage, and download data, notify of exceedances with high/low Quick Alert messages, and remotely adjust data logger settings.
Additional features available at subscription-based service tiers include programmable alarms and data dissemination via automated export, API, or Public Portal access.
Purchase in the USA
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