Why Soil Moisture Sensors?

Water is a key ingredient for a healthy crop, and irrigation is one way farmers reduce the risk of fields drying out. Unfortunately, data show the water level in the Delta’s aquifer is declining. That’s why it’s important for farmers to implement new, more efficient irrigation technologies to alleviate pressure on the aquifer. 

Mississippi farmers are starting to realize the need to save water, and many are becoming enthusiastic users of soil moisture sensors and other helpful tools. 

Soil moisture sensors help farmers determine moisture by depth, active rooting zone and infiltration depth. Through the use of moisture sensors, farmers can better time their irrigation to crop demand, rather than setting a schedule and maintaining it throughout the growing season.

Jason Krutz, Mississippi State University irrigation specialist shares some tips to keep in mind as farmers prepare their soil moisture sensors for irrigation initiation:

Quantity: Use a minimum of one sensor set per 40-80 acres if in the same soil type. 

Where: A soil moisture sensor set includes three sensors, placed 6, 12 and 24 inches deep in the soil for soybeans. 

When: Initiate and terminate irrigation according to growth stage and soil moisture level.

How: Think about the whole field, and consider the soil type variation to decide sensor placement.

Sensors can help farmers cut their water use by 25 to 50 percent which can save them about $10 per acre. The voluntary adoption of these conservation tools and technologies should provide a significant contribution to the conservation of the Delta’s water resources. 

The Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board (MSPB) continues taking big steps toward curtailing the amount of water drawn from the alluvial aquifer for agricultural irrigation. Under its Sustainable Irrigation Project (SIP), MSPB is highlighting and promoting the use of practices and tools that will reduce the amount of irrigation water applied to the state’s crop acres, which is why farmers across Mississippi have committed to the program and are becoming more involved in the irrigation-water-conservation effort. Farmers can visit mssoy.org for more information on SIP and sustainable irrigation practices.