Performance Assessment of Soil Moisture Meter under Sandy Clay Loam Soil

Background: Irrigation performs a substantial function for the growth of Agricultural vegetation. Soil supplies essential nutrients for the growth of plant and provides anchor support to the roots of the crops. Soil Moisture permits the requirement for water system to be measured ahead of a yield giving indications of misery. Knowing the soil moisture status empowers exceptionally productive water system, giving the water as and when required and wiping out the inefficient utilization of water when water system isn’t required. Methods: Sandy clay loam soil contains a decent arrangement of plant supplements and supports most sorts of plants and yields. So in the field plentiful accessibility of this soil its texture is discovered by estimating soil moisture. Result: Within the research we developed a soil moisture meter based on capacitive type sensor the output is analog voltage which is calibrated to soil moisture percentage and its performance is comparatively investigated with different moisture sensor under sandy clay loam soil. The proposed model is highly emphasized on the soil moisture percentage that is the level of water content in the soil. The percentage value is displayed in the LCD. The deployment cost is highly reduced in the proposed model.

Comparison of Low-Cost Methods for Soil Water Holding Capacity

Purpose: The use of cost-effective methods for measurement of WHC is common in underdeveloped and developing countries, but the accuracy of these cost-effective methods compared to the sophisticated and more expensive alternatives is unclear. Methods: To compare different WHC measurement methods, 30 random samples of clay loam and sandy clay loam soils of Jhansi, India were used. The methods compared here were: FAO in-situ method (FAO), Keen Raczkowski box method (KM), funnel method (FM), column method (CM) and pressure plate method (PPA). Results: For WHC measurements the PPA results were comparable to KM and FM methods for sandy clay loam, and KM and FAO methods for clay loam. Conclusion: Therefore, until a reliable method that matches the results of sophisticated analytical methods of soil water measurement is available, different inexpensive analytical methods can be used, but they must be chosen with caution. The findings from this study will facilitate appropriate selection of a suitable method.

Flushing of Soils Highly Contaminated with Cd Using Various Washing Agents Derived from Sewage Sludge

The suitability of sewage-sludge derived washing agents (SS_WAs) (dissolved organic matter DOM; humic-like substances HLS; soluble humic substances SHS), was assessed for removing Cd from highly contaminated (300 mg/kg) sandy clay loam and clay. The soils were remediated via column flushing at two flow rates, 0.5 and 1.0 mL/min. The stability of the flow velocity (FV) depended on the type of SS_WA and decreased in the following order: DOM > HLS > SHS. Cd was most effectively removed during the first hours of flushing, and the process proceeded with a first-order kinetics. The overall process efficiency was higher at flow rate of 1.0 mL/min than at 0.5 mL/min and ranged from 65.7 (SHS) to 75.5% (DOM) for the sandy clay loam and from 64.7% (SHS) to 67.8% (DOM) for the clay. However, all SS_WAs at both flow rates removed the most mobile Cd fraction (F1) with an efficiency above 90%. Flushing improved soil characteristics in terms of the content of organic matter, humic substances and nutrients. Among all SS_WAs, DOM was the most suitable for remediation of highly Cd-contaminated soils due to high efficiency of Cd removal, the high stability of its FV during flushing and the simple manner of DOM recovery from sewage sludge.

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Soil Moisture Sensor

This study was aimed at developing a soil moisture sensor to effectively monitor moisture level for optimum crop growth. The sensor was made using a programmed Arduino microcontroller. It is attached to a sensing panel with two probes made of nickel that measures the volumetric content of water in soil. The probes were non-corrosive and robust material suitable for use in wet surfaces. The developed sensor was tested and evaluated. The two legged Lead (probes) goes into the soil where water content was to be measured by passing current through the soil, and then reads the resistance to get the moisture level. Nine different soil classification samples (Sandy Clay, Fine Sandy Loam, Sandy Loam, Salty Loam, Loamy Sand, Coarse Sand, Fine Sand, Sandy Clay Loam and clay soils) at different depths (3, 6, 9, 12 and 14.3 cm) were used to analyse the moisture meter at three different portion of each soil sample. Results obtained indicates that there was a progressive increase in moisture levels the more the sensor was being dipped into the soil. Results obtained also shows that all the nine soil samples but one (Silt Loam Soil Sample) analysed were within acceptable range of accuracy (0.1 - 5.0 %). The moisture sensor whose cost was approximately #22,300:00 was found to be effective, high precision at less efforts and a suitable guide for farmer for determining soil moisture levels.Keywords- Moisture, Probe, Sensor, Soil Classification

Response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity and nutrient uptake to nitrogen and boron fertilization in Typic Ustifluvents soil

Nitrogen and boron are necessary for the metabolic activities of rice for its growth. With this perspective, a field experiment was conducted in farmer’s field during 2020 at Kuttalam, Mayladuthurai district, Tamilnadu in sandy clay loam(Padugai Series – TypicUstifluvents) to predict the response of rice (Oryza sativa) to different levels of nitrogen(N) and boron (B) application. The treatments consisted of Factor A- Nitrogen levels, 0, 75, 150, 225 kg ha-1 and Factor B- Boron levels 0, 1.5, 3.0 kg ha-1. Fifteen treatments were conducted in a Factorial randomised block (FRBD) design with three replications. The test crop was rice with a variety ADT 46. Concerning nitrogen alone, the highest grain (5344 kg ha-1) and straw yield was recorded in N3(225 kg ha-1). Among the boron levels tested, the highest grain (4695 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6509 kg ha-1) was registered in B1 (1.5 kg ha-1) in rice. The highest total nutrient uptake viz., N(88.2 kg ha-1), P(30.5 kg ha-1), K(105.0 kg ha-1) and B(172mg kg-1) were recorded in N3B1. Among the N alone, the highest total nutrient uptake viz., N(78.1kg ha-1, P(26.3kg ha-1), K (95.8 kg ha-1) and B(156.6 mg kg-1) in N3. Concerning B alone, the highest nutrient uptake viz., N(60.5, kg ha-1) , P(17.8kg ha-1) K(74.9 kg ha-1) and B(112.1mg kg-1) were registered in B1 over other B levels. The highest grain (5631 kg ha-1) was recorded in N3B1 (225 kg N ha-1 and 1.5kg B ha-1) than other interactions. The study concluded that applying nitrogen and boron is required to achieve the maximum yield of rice in sandy clay loam soil.

Characterization and Classification of Soils from Southern Agro-climatic Zones of Karnataka, South India

The climate change and land degradation are both individually and in combination have profound influence on natural resource based livelihood systems and societal groups, but this land degradation is caused by land use changes and unsustainable management. The different land use systems practiced in southern agro-climatic zones of Karnataka have significant impact on soil carbon and fertility status of soils, a study was carried out to characterize and classify the soils of southern agro-climatic zones of Karnataka. Five pedons, one from each agro-climatic zone from cultivated land use were selected for the study. Soils of Hiriyur pedons were moderately shallow and rest were deep to very deep, red, well drained and appreciable amount of gravels were observed in all the pedons. Clay illuviation in sub-soil layers was observed hence sub-soil layer contained more clay than surface. The soil texture varied from sandy clay loam to sandy clay and clay. Bulk density of soil varied from 0.86 to 1.86 Mgm-3 in the surface. In all the profiles, bulk density increased with depth. Soil reaction varied from very strongly acidic to moderately acidic in Balehonnur and Brahmavara, moderately acidic to neutral in Hassan and Tiptur, neutral to moderately alkaline in Hiriyur. Cation exchange capacity was low and exchange complex was dominated by hydrogen and aluminum. Dominant cations were calcium and magnesium hence base saturation was high in the pedons due to leaching of bases and deposition in sub-surface horizons within the solum except in Brahmvara and Balehonnur was observed.

Mapping the abrasion on Sederhana Beach, Muara Gembong, Bekasi, West Java province for the coastal mitigation purpose

Sederhana Beach is located in the waters of Muara Gembong, Bekasi Regency, West Java Province, northeast part of Jakarta Bay. The observation data in 2018 showed the morphology of the damaged coast and the massive fallen mangrove vegetation. Loss of land and mangrove populations has a major impact on the economic and environmental aspect. How to mitigate the impact of abrasion? This study aims to map the type of sediment, sediment distribution and its depositional environment, to obtain a correlation with the type and direction of currents causing abrasion. The results would become the base for determining the appropriate actions to overcome further abrasion, in an integrated coastal area planning program. Seabed sediments were taken using a grab sampler, megascopic descriptions and analysis of the depositional environment off sediments were held on site. The results are plotted onto a map, to determine the distribution of sediments. Sediment types found are: coarse sand, clay, sandy clay, medium-fine sand, and silt. 75% of the study area is: scattered sandy clay, mostly covering the coastline to the north. This is a common phenomenon because the mainland of research location is dominated by mangrove vegetation. The Coarse sand took 20% of the research location. An interesting phenomenon is: the coarse sand reaches the coast directly adjacent to the mangroves, where 5% of silt is found outside this coarse sand zone. The presence of coarse sand on the shoreline with mangrove vegetation indicates that the main current that triggers abrasion is longshore current, moving parallel to the coastline, namely northeast - southwest. So, the recommended steps that can be taken in mitigating further abrasion at Sederhana Beach is the construction of a current breaking structure that is perpendicular to the coast line

Evaluation of Spatio-Temporal Soil Moisture Variability in Semi-Arid Rangeland Ecosystem, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Aim: To evaluate the spatio-temporal soil moisture storage and retention capacities in semi-arid rangeland ecosystem, Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR), Kenya Study Design: Randomized complete block design (RCBD) of reference Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensor (CRNS) station, ten-(10) spatially distributed (soil moisture and temperature capacitance) probes (5TM-ECH20) sites. Place and Duration of Study: Kenya, MMNR, the oldest natural semi-arid rangeland ecosystem and globally unique for the great wildebeest migration, between May 2017 and April 2019. Methodology: Soil moisture (SM) variation data was collected using (CRNS) at spatial and point-scale 5TM-ECH2O probes, and gravimetric water content from (10) spatially distributed stations. Both CRNS and 5TM-ECH2O probes were used to monitor near-real time moisture levels at different soil layers ranging between 0-5cm, 5-10cm, 15-20cm, 35-40cm, and 75-80cm. Soil physical and chemical properties were laboratory analyzed. Calibration and validation datasets were obtained from 5TM-ECH2O probe and gravimetric soil samples extracted from respective layers and sites. Results: The pedological characteristics of the investigated ecosystem soil profile indicate decreased bulk density by 2.1% to 11.12% from upper layers (0-5cm) to deeper layers at (75–80 cm). Across the rangeland, 70% of soil textural classes were sandy clay loam (SCL) with higher clay percent and 30% sandy clay (SC) and soil porosity varied between 30.1% and 51% in the ecosystem. Moreover, volumetric 2 water content (VWC) of spatially distributed 5TM-ECH2O probes ranged between 0.11m3m-3 and 0.32m3m-3 during wet season with mean VWC of 0.16m3m-3, however, the VWC ranged between 0.04 m3m-3 and 0.17m3m-3 during the dry season with a mean volume of 0.11m3m-3 across the rangeland ecosystem. Conclusion: In this study, SM exhibited an annual periodicity of seasonal variation of spatial and temporal moisture partitioned as moisture gaining, losing, and a moisture stable period. This probably could be a consequence of increased movement of water to deeper layers caused by high precipitation and less evaporative demand caused by lower temperatures. The calibrated CRNS probe provided good estimates of spatial soil moisture variation when calibrated with 5TM-ECH20 and gravimetric sampling in relation to precipitation events and that deeper soil layers showed higher amount of soil moisture than shallow layers. The findings of the study will provide better formulation of the ecosystem vegetation management policies, conservation and planning for sustainable wildlife tourism industry.