Two methods of measuring moisture content

Moisture monitoring is mainly used to monitor the moisture content of the soil in the tillage layer and its soil moisture supply status, which is a basic work for farmland water management and regional water resource management. By monitoring soil moisture, it is possible to water at the right amount at the critical moment in strict accordance with the moisture characteristics, control and reduce the number of times of irrigation and irrigation quota, in order to reduce inter-till evaporation, make efficient use of irrigation water, and achieve the purpose of water conservation.

There are two main methods for determining moisture content:

Specialized Measurement Method: Soil temperature and moisture are measured using the Soil Moisture Rapid Measuring Instrument (SMRI). This instrument records five parameters in real time: soil temperature, soil moisture, air temperature, air humidity and dew point. The results of this method are accurate and reliable.

Empirical judgment method: It is mainly based on indicators such as soil color, hand-pinch feeling, and soil changes before and after irrigation. For example, full of moisture (water content 18.5% to 20%), soil color dark dark, hand pinch of the ball, thrown not scattered, can be rubbed into strips, the hand has obvious water marks, full of moisture for the upper limit of suitable cultivation, the soil effective water content is large; moderate moisture (water content 15.5% to 18.5%), soil color dark dark, hand pinch of the ball, thrown broken, the hand left a wet mark. Suitable moisture is the moisture condition suitable for sowing and plowing, and the effective moisture content is high; yellow moisture (moisture content of 12% to 15%), the soil color is yellow, the hand pinches into a ball, easy to break, and the hand has a cool feeling. Yellow moisture is suitable for cultivation, with low effective water content, poor seeding emergence, and need for irrigation; dry soil (water content below 8%), with grayish soil color, hard clods, and loose fine soil. Dry soil has no moisture that can be absorbed by crops and is unsuitable for plowing and sowing.

Soil moisture monitor is an instrument used to monitor soil moisture and temperature in real time. It can collect the moisture data in the soil through sensors and record the changes in soil moisture, helping farmers to grasp the moisture condition of the soil in time and providing reference for crop planting. At the same time, it can also help farmers find out how the soil is affected by external environmental factors, protect the soil environment and improve the efficiency of agricultural production.