Journal article
Evaluation of MPS-1 soil water potential sensor
Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam), Vol.402(1), pp.126-134
2011
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/109236
Abstract
► We tested the MPS-1 soil water potential sensor in the laboratory, for a range of temperature conditions and wetting-drying cycles. ► We evaluated accuracy, measurement range, sensitivity and consistency. ► It is recommended to conduct sensor calibration before field installation.
Soil water matric potential sensors are essential for understanding agricultural and natural ecosystems. However, accurate sensors that can be used for a wide range of soil moisture conditions have yet to be developed. The MPS-1 sensor by Decagon Devices, Inc. was tested and calibrated in a laboratory setting using pressure plate and suction apparatuses. This study evaluated the general performance of the MPS-1 sensor by: (1) testing for a wide range of varying soil conditions, including temperature and hysteresis; (2) determining measurement range, sensitivity, consistency, accuracy, and variation among sensors; and (3) developing a laboratory calibration procedure prior to field installation. Sensitivity of the MPS-1 sensor was found to be a highly nonlinear function of soil matric potential. Sensor-to-sensor variations were large, but were partly removed using the presented one-point calibration. Variation among sensors is largely eliminated by using a sensor-specific calibration. The MPS-1 sensitivity to temperature was relatively small and inconsistent, and hysteresis effects were relatively minor. Individual sensor output readings were consistent in time, remaining almost constant over a measurement period of 1.5
years. By comparing calibrated MPS-1 sensors with tensiometers in the field, we conclude that measurement uncertainty is less than 10
kPa (or 0.1
bar) in the range from 10 to 60
kPa.
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Details
- Title
- Evaluation of MPS-1 soil water potential sensor
- Creators
- A Malazian - Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United StatesP Hartsough - Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United StatesT Kamai - Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United StatesG.S Campbell - Decagon Devices, Pullman, WA 99163, United StatesD.R Cobos - Decagon Devices, Pullman, WA 99163, United StatesJ.W Hopmans - Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States
- Publication Details
- Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam), Vol.402(1), pp.126-134
- Academic Unit
- Crop and Soil Sciences, Department of
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Identifiers
- 99900547230401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article