Methods to correct temperature-induced changes of soil moisture sensors to improve accuracy
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Accurate soil moisture measurement is critical for precision irrigation management when using sensor data to calculate application timing and volume. Especially under conditions with soil varying temperature, a sensors performance is always subject to some degree of error. This research investigated the method to assess soil moisture sensors performance across temperature gradient (4 °C to 14 °C) in sandy soil. Soil moisture was maintained stable, temperature was increased gradually and ΔVWC was measured for each increment across temperature. Results showed a linear decreasing trend between temperature rise and ΔVWC by 0.02 and 0.015 cm 3 /cm 3 for Teros-12 and 10-HS sensors while SoilWatch-10 exhibited a promising increasing trend. The observed (Oθ) and temperature-corrected (TCθ) VWC were compared through regression model and sensors performance was assessed through statistical metrics including Root Mean Square (RMSE), Index of Agreement (IA) and Mean Biased Error (MBE). • The RMSE values of 0.015, 0.011 and 0.031 cm 3 /cm 3 respectively for Teros-12, HS-10 and SoilWatch-10. This indicates that 10-HS exhibited the highest accuracy, followed by Teros-12, and lastly SoilWatch-10 sensor. • Strong agreement (IA = 0.99) between Oθ and TCθ showed the reliability of all sensors. • Teros-12 and 10-HS sensor showed slight under estimation (MBE = −0.014 and −0.011), while SoilWatch-10 indicated overestimation (MBE = 0.028). Thus, temperature correction is crucial for improving accuracy and minimizing over and/or underestimation ensuring precise detection of VWC by temperature-induced sensors.
Source: MethodsX
Authors: Brenden Kelley, Nawab Ali, Younsuk Dong
Institution: Michigan State University
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $850
Award: G509920067
OpenAlex ID: W4405356818