It might look like the skies have opened up—but does that rain really make a difference in your fields?
After long periods of drought, soil can turn hydrophobic, meaning it repels water instead of soaking it in. In other words, that seemingly heavy rainfall may just run off, leaving your crops without the moisture they desperately need.
What is hydrophobic soil?
Research shows that prolonged drought can drastically reduce a soil’s ability to absorb water, a phenomenon highlighted by Hallett et al. (2011). Even if it rains, hydrophobic soils don’t “drink” the water, resulting in uneven moisture distribution.
While rain might visibly fall across your property, some areas of your field may receive little to no effective water, leading to stress for your crops.
What This Means for Your Crops
If your soil doesn't absorb water well, some parts of your field might stay dry despite rainfall. This uneven watering can lead to patchy crop growth and lower yields.
Trying to fix this by adding more water often doesn't help, as the soil still won't absorb it properly, wasting both water and effort.
Applying additional irrigation to counteract dry spots may not be effective, as water continues to run off rather than infiltrate. This leads to inefficient water use and potential resource wastage.
The Risks of Rain Guesswork
Rainfall is often highly uneven, even over short distances. While it might seem like a heavy downpour at your house, just a few acres away, your fields could have received little to no rain at all.
Factors like wind patterns, cloud cover, and landscape variations can create significant differences in how much water actually reaches the ground.
This means that relying on visual observations alone can be misleading. What looks like plenty of rain in one spot may not be enough to make a real impact on your crops just a short distance away.
Keeping an Eye on Soil Moisture
Using soil moisture sensors gives you real-time information about how much water is in your soil at different depths. By knowing how much moisture is in your soil, you can water your crops exactly when and how much they need.
Studies have shown that using soil moisture sensors can improve irrigation scheduling, leading to better yields and conservation of water resources.
Introducing the Phytech 6-Point Soil Moisture Probe
The Phytech 6-Point Soil Moisture Probe is a tool designed to give you a detailed look at your soil's moisture levels. By measuring at multiple depths, it helps identify areas where water isn't penetrating well.
With this information, you can adjust your watering practices to make sure water reaches your plants' roots, even in soils that resist water.
Precision Irrigation for Maximum Efficiency
Soil moisture is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to smarter irrigation. Phytech offers a complete irrigation automation system, combining real-time monitoring with full control over your water use. Our sensors track exactly where and when water is moving through your fields, giving you the insights needed to optimize irrigation.
Our software lets you turn water on and off remotely, ensuring precise application while saving time and resources. With Phytech, irrigation becomes easier, more efficient, and fully trackable. Our goal is to help growers conserve water, reduce waste, and keep crops healthy with minimal effort.
How much water is reaching your orchard's root zone? It’s time to start monitoring your hydraulic system before it costs you.
To schedule a free consultation, contact a Phytech expert today.
References:
Soil moisture sensors for irrigation scheduling, University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/irrigation/soil-moisture-sensors-irrigation-scheduling?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Hydrophobicity of Soil, Hallett et. al. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291407452_Hydrophobicity_of_Soil
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