Abstract

With advances in technology for precision agriculture, numerous attempts have been made towards development of on-the-go sensors for measuring soil compaction. Most of the on-the-go sensors developed so far have been mechanical sensors providing a soil strength parameter that can be related to degree of soil compactness. In this study, a commercial electrical conductivity sensor (Veris (R) 3100) in combination with a previously developed combined horizontal penetrometer (equipped with a dielectric sensor for water content) were tested in a field in order to examine whether the apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) within the 0-0.3 m depth (ECa-shallow) could be helpful in detecting the topsoil strength (here the horizontal penetrometer resistance). Interpolated field maps of horizontal penetrometer resistance (PR), volumetric water content (theta(v)) and ECa showed comparable patterns within some areas (but not over the field). No significant correlation (but a negative trend) was found between ECa and dry bulk density. A significant correlation between ECa and PR/theta(v), (a previously proposed water content-independent PR) was found (R-2 = 0.37, P < 0.0001). However, ECa was strongly affected by soil water content and texture. It was concluded that PR may be indirectly related to ECa through theta(v), which greatly affects both ECa and PR. The results suggested that the EC sensor could potentially be helpful for detecting zones of high soil strength (i.e. high PR/theta(v)). Further studies are suggested to address whether ECa is better related to the state of soil compaction at dry state of soil due to more significant effect of soil-soil electrical conductivity. (C) 2014 IAgrE. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Precision agriculture; Soil compaction; On-the-go sensors; Combined horizontal penetrometer; Electrical conductivity sensor

Published in

Biosystems Engineering
2014, Volume: 126, pages: 1-11
Publisher: ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

SLU Authors

• Keller, Thomas

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Agroscope

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Soil Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2014.07.006

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/67676