Laboratory Calibration of TMS-4 Sensor for Continuous Monitoring of Soil Water Content and Evaluating Sensor Performance in Response to Compost Amendment

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41210%2F23%3A97600" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41210/23:97600 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://ells-ssc2023.smart-abstract.com/eposter/#/posters" target="_blank" >https://ells-ssc2023.smart-abstract.com/eposter/#/posters</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Laboratory Calibration of TMS-4 Sensor for Continuous Monitoring of Soil Water Content and Evaluating Sensor Performance in Response to Compost Amendment

Original language description

Continuous monitoring of soil water content (SWC) using automated sensors is widely employed for research and practice. Promising among these sensors are the TMS-4 sensors by Tomst Inc. due to their convenience, independence, long battery life, and affordability. They measure SWC in the surface layer (14 cm), soil temperature, and air temperature (1 and 15 cm above the soil surface), making them suitable for monitoring microclimate changes induced e.g. by mulching. However, the sensor´s accuracy and precision can be affected by the sensor-to-sensor differences or by various soil conditions including installation mistakes. The aim of this study was to carry out the individual sensor callibration for the soil of the research locality in Moravia in order i) to improve the precision of the measurements compared to factory callibration; ii) to evaluate the sensor precision by using four brand new sensors; iii) to evaluate the sensor accuracy affected by organic matter (compost) added to the soil. In addition, obtained callibration equations were used to evaluate field measurement at the locality over 8 months. The soil was repacked into a callibration container to achieve a target dry bulk density of 1.37 g/cm3, matching the natural field value, in prepared SWC levels from 0% to 35%. Real SWC and BD were determined by gravimetric method (in 5 repetitions for each SWC). Results showed significant differences between factory and individual callibration. While factory callibration was based on quadratic equations, we found logarithmic equations more reliable. The results of the Callibration and Gravimetric Analysis differed between localities. One of the four tested sensors performed differently from the others. Finally, compost admixture (the equivalent of 20 t/ha) has an influence on sensor perfprmance. TMS-4 signal has significantly lowe values for the soil amended by compost, especially in the dry range. In conclusion, TMS-4 sensors are recommended but should be used with an adequate number of repetitions and tested before field application.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40104 - Soil science

Project

<a href="/en/project/QK22020032" target="_blank" >QK22020032: Analysis and modifications of compost application schemes aimed at strengthening of the soil protection system within the stabilization of production capability</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)<br>S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2023

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů