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It all starts with the soil. Learn about how our soil moisture sensors and curated soil calibration library supports users in making smart water management decisions.

Sensoterra Soil Moisture Sensors can determine the volumetric water content of the soil. This is determined based on measuring the capacitive and resistive principles of the soil.

The proprietary method used is very energy efficient, which is why our sensors are 100% maintenance free and have a battery life of 5-8 years with hourly measurements!

The hourly measurements are sent to Sensoterra servers where they are converted into volumetric water content. This conversion is based on precise algorithms which differ for every offered soil type, based on our soil library. This calibration is important because different soil types and textures, behave differently when water is applied to them.

Take the following example: A farmer has multiple fields where he is interested in determining the moisture content. Understanding the moisture content of the field will enable him in his field management decisions, like irrigation timing, fertilizer application, and harvesting. He has two fields in which he is running a trial of Sensoterra sensors:

Field Type A

Is a primarily Clay Loam soil texture on an irrigated corn field, with high organic matter content, and high salinity, and medium compaction.

Field Soil Type B

Is a primarily Loamy Sand soil on a non-irrigated, grazing grass field, with low salinity, high organic matter content, and loose compaction.

Our farmer knows his soils differ, so based on his previous analysis of soil texture he determines the soil types, and selects each type within the Sensoterra Monitor App soil calibration library.

Because our sensors measure based on capacitive and resistive principals of the soil, salinity has a minor impact on the calculated values of soil moisture, which is why it’s important for indicate salinity levels in the field, for even more precise readings.

Sensoterra Lab

To be able to support every soil type available is exactly why we’ve set up the Sensoterra Soil Lab. It’s here, where we test soil samples taken from participating customers, to better identify both soil texture profile, and soil moisture behavior. By calibrating the sensors to a specific soil type, soil moisture readings will be more precise.

The result is a calibration based on that specific soil type, so that future sensor readings can be closely correlated to the actual behavior of the soil with different levels of moisture,

We make the calibration of that soil type available for all within Sensoterra Monitor, so all users can benefit from the research at the Sensoterra Lab.

The vast majority of our customers can select a suitable soil type from the Sensoterra soil library. We use the Soil Triangle principles for identifying the soils which are included in the library, and are continually expanding our standard calibrations to offer even more precise moisture data.

Visit our calibration page to learn more about the calibration process and the Sensoterra soil calibration library.

Soil Calibration Guide 

To help support you decisions for placement of sensors based on soil type and soil moisture behavior, we’ve put together a free Soil Calibration Guide.

Visit our calibration page to learn more about the calibration process and the Sensoterra soil calibration library.

About Sensoterra

Sensoterra takes the lead in wireless soil moisture sensor technology, offering cutting-edge IoT solutions for smart agriculture. Our state-of-the-art moisture sensors are pioneers in the field of soil moisture monitoring. We are committed to revolutionizing precision agriculture, helping farmers optimize their irrigation systems and promote sustainable farming.

With Sensoterra, you gain real-time access to critical soil moisture data, empowering you to manage water resources with precision. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Houten, The Netherlands, Sensoterra develops innovative water management solutions for agriculture, horticulture, smart city management, and water governance. Our global network boasts over 12,000 moisture probes in the ground, generating an abundance of data points daily.

Visit www.sensoterra.com to learn more about our groundbreaking technology. For additional information, images, or interview requests, please contact:

Jessica Nuboer
Marketing & Communications
Sensoterra
Email: [email protected]