Mapping an Agricultural Field Experiment by Electromagnetic Induction and Ground Penetrating Radar to Improve Soil Water Content Estimation

Abstract

A growing interest in proximal sensing technologies for estimating soil water content (SWC) will be highlighted. On this matter the objectives of this study were: (1) to use both the combined electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to characterize an innovative field experiment located in southern Italy, in which different agricultural practices are tested, including a soil hydraulic arrangement; (2) to implement a geostatistical approach in order to merge different geophysical sensor data as auxiliary variables for SWC estimation. The multi-sensor recorded data were: (1) SWC data measured by gravimetric method; (2) Differential Global Positioning System height; (3) apparent electrical conductivity measured by an EMI sensor; (4) depths of soil discontinuities individuated by GPR radargrams interpretation; and (5) amplitude of GPR signal data at two different frequencies. Geostatistical techniques were used both to map all variables and improve the SWC estimation. The findings of this research indicate that: (1) the GPR radargrams identified four reflection events as a consequence of interfaces; (2) the EMI and GPR mapping provided identification of areas with high potential for water stagnation; and (3) the outputs of geophysical sensors can be effectively used as auxiliary tools to supplement the sampling of the target variable and to improve water content estimation.

Cover Crops Affect Performance of Organic Scarlotta Seedless Table Grapes Under Plastic Film Covering in Southern Italy

“…[32], which observed low competition of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L.) inter-row cover crops, since the soil area of maximum water and nutrient uptake by the vine root system was concentrated in the soil under the row. Once again, our findings confirmed the results obtained in organic vegetable cropping systems [33,34].…”

Smart Sensing with Edge Computing in Precision Agriculture for Soil Assessment and Heavy Metal Monitoring: A Review

“…The zoning is also used to incorporate precision agricultural practices such as variable rate irrigation, variable rate seeding, and drainage management. Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) methods can be used for the mapping of the EC by apparent Electrical Conductance (ECa) and Visible Near Infrared Reflectance (VNIR) [151]. There are a number of commercial tools available, i.e., Veris 3100, EC400 sensors in conjunction with GPS systems [149,152].…”

Internet of Things in Agriculture : A Review

“…temperature [11]. Ground penetrating radar and electric magnetic induction have been implicated in estimation of soil-water content [5]. Moreover, the sensors are useful to measure residual nitrate level, organic matter concentrations in soil, and real-time measurement of transpiration rate [6].…”