REYNALDO, Shamah R.

U-1L

Sir Kirby Millare

Why is it necessary to measure the soil moisture of a field?

One of the basic necessities for plant growth other than the sunlight and air
is water. Without water the plants will not be able to complete their metabolism
even with the presence of light and carbon dioxide. No other element could
substitute water and suffice the needs of the crops like it does. This is the reason
why irrigation is the most crucial element in farming that should be managed
accordingly considering the fact that water is a limited resource and is,
unfortunately, becoming scarce nowadays. That is why it is significant to use water
moderately, not excessively, and to not take it for granted.
Irrigation is just watering until you study agriculture. Farmers do not water
the crops just because it is a daily routine or because the soil looks rather dry to
them. No, they do not just gather up some water and fling it onto the field until all
the plants are wet or the soil is not dried up any longer. There are a lot of things to
consider when they irrigate the kind of crop grown, the stage the plant is in, the
soil texture, and the season or weather.
We ought to know that different crops require disparate amounts of water
when irrigating. Some crops take up water faster than others, and in every kind of
crop water intake varies also with the crops stage. Plants on the early vegetative
phase drink up tremendous amounts of water than those in the later stages.
Crops have limits when it comes to consuming water. In short, they have an
optimum water requirement. Meeting the optimum amount is best, whereas
excessive water might cause flooding which is detrimental to the crops and on the
other hand the lack of water might lead to the wilting of the crops. Both latter
situations are not good for the crops growth and development that is why we want
to give the crops just the right amount of water that they need. This is when we
refer to the soil moisture of the field to calculate the amount of water that the field
needs or more precisely what the crops need based on the factors to consider
mentioned above.
Soil texture is also taken into account when irrigating. Clayey soil is prone to
surface run-off but has good soil retention whereas sandy soil has low water
retention but good soil permeability. Loamy soil, on the other hand, fits right in the
middle of the aforementioned types of soil texture. Knowing the soil texture of a
field will help the farmers decide how frequent and how much we should irrigate.

Season has a great influence on the decision making in irrigation. During wet
season it is just normal to not irrigate frequently unlike during dry seasons wherein
evapotranspiration rate is very high. Same when we rely on the weather, obviously
if it is raining you would not need to irrigate.
Despite knowing these measures, it is sometimes more reliable to refer to an
actual and accurate numerical value as basis for decisions in irrigating. This is the
reason why we measure the soil moisture content of the field.
Practically speaking, water usage in a farm should be monitored regularly for
doing so would not just help conserve or save water but it would also help in
minimizing the expenses of the farm. The reason why we measure the soil moisture
of a field is to determine how much water the field needs for a certain point of time.

How do we estimate soil moisture through the feel and appearance

method?
A soil sample at a selected depth is obtained using a shovel or probe. The soil
is then squeezed firmly several times in the hand to form a ball. The soil is also
squeezed between the thumb and the forefinger to form a ribbon.
After doing so the following is observed: soil texture, ability to ribbon,
firmness and surface roughness of ball, water glistening, loose soil particles,
soil/water staining on fingers, and soil color. The observations are compared with
photographs or charts to estimate the percent water available and the inches
depleted below field capacity.

Source: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs144p2_051845.pdf

New Soil Moisture Measurement Methods

1. Time-Domain Reflectometry (Buoyocous Method)
A measurement technique that correlates the frequency-dependant electric
and
dielectric properties
of
materials
such
as soil, agrarian
products, snow, wood or concrete to their moisture content.
Measurement usually involves inserting a sensor into the substance to be
tested and then applying either Standard Waveform Analysis to determine the
average moisture content along the sensor or Profile Analysis to provide moisture
content at discrete points along the sensor. A spatial location can be achieved by
appropriate installation of several sensors.
In the waveform analysis a sensor (usually a probe) is placed in the material
to be tested. The sensor contains a waveguide consisting of two or three parallel
wires which is connected via a coaxial cable to a voltage pulse generator which
sends precisely defined voltage pulses into the sensor. As the pulse travels along
the waveguide its progress varies depending on the moisture content of the
material being examined.

2. Granular Matrix Sensors (GMS)

Description: The sensor consists of electrodes embedded in a granular quartz
material, surrounded by a synthetic membrane and a protective stainless steel
mesh. Inside gypsum is used to buffer against salinity effects. This kind of porous
medium allows for measuring in wetter soil conditions and lasts longer than the
gypsum blocks.