An in situ probe‐spacing‐correction thermo‐TDR sensor to measure soil water content accurately

Summary To reduce the possibility of probe deflections, conventional thermo‐time domain reflectometry (T‐TDR) sensors have relatively short probe lengths (≤4 cm). However, short probes lead to large errors in TDR‐estimated soil water content (θv). In this study, two new 6‐cm‐long probe‐spacing‐corre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of soil science 2018-11, Vol.69 (6), p.1030-1034
Main Authors: Wen, M. M., Liu, G., Horton, R., Noborio, K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Errors
Moisture content
Reflectometry
Sensors
Soil
Soil water
Water content
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Summary:Summary To reduce the possibility of probe deflections, conventional thermo‐time domain reflectometry (T‐TDR) sensors have relatively short probe lengths (≤4 cm). However, short probes lead to large errors in TDR‐estimated soil water content (θv). In this study, two new 6‐cm‐long probe‐spacing‐correction T‐TDR (CT‐TDR) sensors were investigated. Compared with conventional 4‐cm‐long T‐TDR sensors, the 6‐cm‐long CT‐TDR sensors reduced errors in TDR‐estimated θv. Errors in heat pulse (HP)‐estimated θv because of probe deflections were reduced when linear or nonlinear probe‐spacing‐correction algorithms were implemented. The 6‐cm‐long CT‐TDR sensors provided more accurate θv estimations than do the conventional 4‐cm‐long T‐TDR sensors. Highlights Short thermo‐TDR sensor has shortcomings in determining soil water content. Changes in thermo‐TDR probe spacing caused by deflections can be determined in situ. Correcting changed thermo‐TDR probe spacing determined soil water content accurately. The 6‐cm‐long thermo‐TDR sensors determined soil water content more accurately than 4‐cm‐long sensors.
ISSN:1351-0754
1365-2389
DOI:10.1111/ejss.12718