For example, TDR sensors are well known to provide accurate volumetric water content data, but the installation process may be more complex than soil matric potential or capacitance sensors.įigure 4. Each sensor has its advantages and limitations farmers or consultants should decide which type of sensor fits their needs better. Examples of soil sensors are soil matric potential sensors (figure 1), capacitance sensors (figure 2), and time-domain reflectometry-based (TDR) sensors (figure 3). Most companies also provide tools, such as smartphone apps and websites, that facilitate soil sensor data interpretation to support irrigation decisions. Many commercial soil water sensors are available. Early in the season, soil sensors should monitor one-third of the depth of the root zone, but at the peak of crop water use, they should monitor at least two-thirds of the crop root zone (Rix et al., 2020). Having soil sensors at various soil depths can provide data on changes in soil water and plant water uptake throughout the growing season. Sensors need to be located at the depth where the majority of the root system resides and at sites representing the irrigated field. The crop type being irrigated and the soil heterogeneity in depth and space have to be considered when installing soil sensors. If a sensor is not correctly installed, it will provide misleading information and result in inaccurate irrigation scheduling. The quality of the data received is dependent on proper installation of the sensors. Soil sensors provide data on soil water status that is used to determine irrigation timing and amount. Use of soil sensors for irrigation scheduling is needed in irrigated agriculture. Best practices for soil sensor installation are covered. Specific steps must be followed when installing soil sensors to ensure accurate data collection and good irrigation decisions.