Bluetooth Soil Moisture and Temperature Profile Sensors

Waiver Rationale Summary

Probe sensors take measurements of soil moisture, temperature, and electric conductivity every < 15 cm increments, 60 cm depth for four treatments (one complete replication) across 24 plots; to aid in the monitoring of a long-term field study. Overall objective of this study is to identify factors affecting maize yield reduction related to cover crop management in maize-soybean rotations of the Upper Midwest. Soil water content and soil temperature monitored at this experiment will allow for better understanding of nutrient cycling, water stress, and plant pathogen populations. Installation of these sensors will allow us to obtain continuous (every 15 min) measurements of soil temperature and water content at multiple depths, and thus better characterize the effects of cover crop management on the soil microclimate that affect maize development and yields. Measurement locations will be hundreds of feet apart, so each sensor will need an internal Bluetooth data transmission capability. None of the soil moisture sensors made in the USA have Bluetooth capability. Instead, they have cables connected to external dataloggers, and an external power source. The Bluetooth capability feature makes the Sentek Bluetooth Drill & Drop sensor unique compared to any other sensors available on the market. The Bluetooth capability of Sentek sensors reduces the total price by eliminating the need to also purchase dataloggers and batteries. Moreover, the field deployment of Sentek Bluetooth sensors does not interfere with field operations such as tillage or spraying of chemicals. Also, as Sentek Bluetooth sensor do not have cables there is no chance of damage to the sensors by animals such as rabbits.