Monday, November 5, 2007
90-17

Effects of Dry Bulk Density and Soil Type on Soil Moisture Measurement using ECH2O-TE Probe.

Shoichi Mitsuishi and Masaru Mizoguchi. Bunkyo-ku, University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan

TDR is increasingly used for field soil water estimation because the measurement is non-destructive by soil texture, and it is used at various places. Decagon Devices, Inc. developed a TDR probe (ECH2O-TE) that could measure a water quantity, temperature, EC value at the same time. However, the influence of soil bulk density, salts density and temperature on ECH2O probe soil moisture measurement have been reported. The purpose of this study is to quantify the influence of soil bulk density and soil types of ECH2O-TE, and to provide an appropriate calibration equation. The soil samples used in this study were Toyoura sand, clay loam and Andisols. Each soil samples were changed dry density, we compared quantity of real water content with ECH2O-TE measured. As a result, the quantity of real water content did not accord with quantity of water which ECH2O-TE measured. For Toyoura sand with high dry bulk density, ECH2O-TE underestimate soil water content in high moisture range. For clay loam with high dry bulk density, ECH2O-TE overestimate soil water content in high moisture range. ECH2O-TE calculated soil water content in a linear equation, Toyoura sand and clay loam were able to approximate a polynomial with accuracy. Andislos was able to approximate a liner equation. Furthermore Andisols with high dry bulk density, ECH2O-TE underestimate soil water content in all moisture range.