Soil Sensor System

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The increasing scarcity of potable water brings its necessity in agriculture sharply into focus. After all, agricultural activities are responsible for roughly 70 percent of all water usage worldwide. By carefully mapping water levels in soil, the agricultural sector can use water more efficiently and preserve this valuable resource.

In this context, DACOM and INCAS³ conducted a joint project – Soil Sensor System – with the objective of improving and increasing the application possibilities of the current DACOM soil sensors.

Using a number of test setups, INCAS³ researchers mapped out the characteristics of the sensor and the electronics. Based on these measurements it was possible to develop a standard calibration for the soil sensors which ensured that the measurements taken at various depths are calibrated in relation to each other, and that the same happens for the different sensors in relation to each other.

Janneke Hadders, the Project Manager for the Soil Sensor System, is very pleased with the outcome of the project: “As a result of the INCAS³ research we have gained a much better understanding of our sensors, which will enable us to make significant improvements to the next generation of systems which, in turn, will increase our competitiveness.”

For INCAS³ this marked one of the first collaborations where scientific knowledge and everyday applications were closely linked. “The joint project with DACOM is an excellent example of the position INCAS³ wants to take — conducting scientific research while contributing knowledge to specific projects with regional SMEs,” said Heinrich Wörtche, the Scientific Director at INCAS³.

This project was realized with the assistance of the European Community, European Fund for Regional Development, the Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland (North Netherlands Collaboration) and the Province of Drenthe in the context of the Innovatief Actieprogramma Drenthe (Drenthe Innovative Action Program).