MEASURING and monitoring soil moisture is critical for a successful potato crop.
Sentek probes and software deliver valuable information on when to irrigate, and the amount of irrigation required to refill the rootzone.
Research has shown that as little as a 10 per cent deviation from optimum irrigation management reduces yield and marketability.
A report from the University of Idaho states: "Maximum economic return requires, among other things, that soil water content be maintained within rather narrow limits throughout the growing season."
Over irrigation causes poor soil aeration, increase in disease pressure and potential leaching of nitrogen while water stress from under irrigation reduces growth and can cause tuber defects.
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Optimum irrigation management will result in marketable potatoes and can reduce the costs of production.
Using the scientifically proven Sentek Drill and Drop soil moisture probe, the grower can track moisture changes at multiple depths in the soil profile, identify root activity; and know where and how much water is available at any depth.
The high-resolution data is then displayed in Sentek's powerful IrriMAX software, giving valuable information and insight into water and solute movement and plant water uptake.
IrriMAX Live software is cloud based and can be used to establish soil property parameters such as field capacity, onset of wilting and saturation - so that irrigation can be correctly managed during critical stages of leaf and tuber development.
The Drill & Drop soil moisture probe also offers measurement of salinity at 10cm intervals, providing a comprehensive guide for salinity and fertiliser management.
Temperature sensors throughout the profile provide valuable insights into planting windows, and optimal harvest conditions to avoid bruising.
Sentek's IrriMAX Live can also displays valuable local weather data, adding wind speed and evapotranspiration for a complete picture of plant growing conditions and to assist with spray programs.
For those monitoring multiple fields and irrigation systems, the map view in IrriMAX displays gauges at each site which show the percentage soil water remaining before the next irrigation.
The 60cm length Drill & Drop is most commonly used in potatoes, with six sensors spaced 10cm apart.
The top sensors monitor infiltration of irrigation and rain, and the development of the root zone - providing valuable information such as at what depths the plant is "drinking" from.
The deeper sensors assist with understanding infiltration rate and potential drainage losses, as well as monitoring soil salinity changes.
With a patented technique and tool kit for installation, a hole is rapidly drilled to the correct length, with the probe then simply pushed in by hand.
- Copy supplied by Sentek.
