Drought in Spain. Discover how soil moisture sensors save water
Water scarcity is a constant challenge for agriculture, especially in times of drought in Spain like the one we are in. Addressing the problem of drought is essential to ensure food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices. In this article, we will explore the problem of drought in Spain for agriculture. We will see how technology becomes an indispensable ally to guarantee responsible use of this vital resource in agriculture. In this context, humidity measurement, using soil moisture sensors, emerges as an effective solution to optimize irrigation, save water in times of drought and maintain crop productivity levels.
Drought situation in Spain
The month of April has been extremely dry, and very general, in the Peninsula. Precipitation in April was 14,2 mm (compared to an average value for the months of April in the reference period 1991-2020 of 62,4 mm). This month being the driest April since the beginning of the series in 1961. The month was also very dry in the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
In the entire 7 months of the hydrological year, the global value of precipitation is 346 mm, 25,5%. Value lower than the average value of the reference period, with a very unequal distribution in the territory. The month of December has been the only one (since March 2022) that globally had a rainfall value higher than the reference average. The lack of rainfall compared to the reference values is especially significant throughout the Atlantic slope and in the south of the Peninsula, and very particularly in Catalonia and the Segura basin. All this has aggravated the drought situation in Spain.
Source: Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge
How do humidity sensors help save water?
Drought significantly affects the availability of water for agriculture, jeopardizing the production, profitability and sustainability of agriculture. Therefore, we must think of solutions that allow us to cushion the consequences of the drought in Spain. These solutions involve the use of soil moisture sensors, through which precise information is obtained about the water needs of crops in real time. By measuring soil moisture, you have a real “photograph” of water consumption. In this way, the water applied can be precisely adapted, adjusting the time and frequency of irrigation. Thus we can adjust the application doses of irrigation water downwards, to the minimum value that the crop allows for its correct development and production.
How to choose a soil moisture sensor?
Soil moisture sensors are a fundamental tool for saving water in times of drought. To do this we must take into account:
- Sensor choice: There are different types of sensors to measure soil moisture. Capacitive sensors, TDR sensors (Time Domain Reflectometry) and FDR sensors (Frequency Domain Reflectometry). Each sensor has its own characteristics and advantages, so it is important to select the most suitable one according to the needs of the crop and soil conditions. We recommend the multilevel probes with FDR humidity sensor every 10 cm. These probes have great versatility to see what happens in the soil profile at different depths. With them we can know to what depth the roots are absorbing water.
- Sensor installation: The sensors are installed in the ground at different depths. They are generally installed at strategic points in the field that are representative of soil moisture variations.
- Calibration: A common practice before starting to use the sensors is calibration. Calibration is performed by comparing sensor readings with moisture measurements obtained through reference methods such as soil sampling and drying. Our pre-calibrated multi-level probes provide accurate readings in most soil types. If necessary, the software allows immediate adjustments.
- Data collection: Sensors continuously record soil moisture and send the data to a centralized system. This data can be obtained in real time.
- Data interpretation: Once the soil moisture data has been collected, its analysis and interpretation is performed. This involves comparing sensor readings with the optimal humidity thresholds for the crop in question. By knowing the variation in humidity at different depths, informed decisions can be made about the timing and amount of water to apply for irrigation.
- Irrigation adjustment: Based on soil moisture data and analysis, precise adjustments can be made to the irrigation program. Based on the data we will adjust the duration and frequency of irrigation, as well as the amount of water to apply. In this way we will maintain the moisture content in the range necessary for the crop, optimizing the water applied.
To learn more about soil moisture sensors:
https://regaber.com/blog/monitorizacion-de-la-humedad-en-el-suelo/
