AquaCheck (Pty) Ltd

Soil Calibration 2014

South Africa

AquaCheck (Pty) Ltd, All rights reserved.

AquaCheck Soil Calibration by Angelique Zeelie
(MSc Soil Physics) | 21.08.2014

AquaCheck Soil Calibration

Introduction: in situ methodology

There are two known methods regarding calibration of capacitance probes: 1) laboratory confined calibrations
and 2) field calibrations. Laboratory calibrations are favored in practice above the field calibration, as field
calibrations are more labor intensive and time consuming. The methodology for in situ soil calibration employs a
destructive sampling procedure, which means that replication or multiple sampling for the same sensor is not
possible. The samples must be taken, within the sphere of influence of the multisensory device (i.e. probe). This is
not always possible because a lot of samples must be taken over time. However, field calibration has a more
realistic implication for the commercial farmer, especially when conducted within the farming vicinity along with
growing crops.

AquaCheck recommend the following methodology for addressing the calibration procedure for different soil
textural classes. For calibration purposes AquaCheck has recorded a total of four field (in situ) field calibrations. The
field trials focused on gravimetric soil moisture determination, sampling over a wide range of soil water contents
and then correlating these measurements to known scaled frequency (SF) readings. Core samplers where used
and therefore bulk density (𝝆b) could be calculated along with the gravimetric water content. Subsequently the
volumetric water content was separately derived from the data collected.

Soil types: Selected soil chemical- and physical properties

The following soil textural classes were evaluated: sand, clay and silt-loam. The field sites were investigated with
respect to their soil physical -and chemical properties. Soil data from selected chemical -and physical soil
properties shown in, Tables 1 & 2.

T ABLE 1 S OIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Soil Type CEC (meq+/100g) EC (dS/m) pH (1:1 H2O) C (%)

Sand 2.00 0.16 6.36 0.12
Clay 11.27 0.26 6.21 0.56
Silt-loam 5.30 0.11 5.30 0.91
*CEC: cation exchange capacity; EC: electrical conductivity; C: total carbon

T ABLE 2 S OIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Soil Type 𝝆b (g/cm3) Clay + Silt (%) Sand (%) Gravel (v/v %)
Sand 1.44 8 92 0
Clay 1.47 68 32 0
Silt-loam 1.36 38 62 ±30
*𝜌b: bulk density

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AquaCheck Soil Calibration by Angelique Zeelie
(MSc Soil Physics) | 21.08.2014

Calibration equations: gravimetric- & volumetric regression analysis

The rundowns below describe the calibration equation for each individual soil type with respect to gravimetric- and
volumetric regression analyses, Tables 3 & 4. Graphic illustrations for each soil type along with a generic soil
regression analysis follows, see Figures 1 & 2.

All regression analyses where derived as linear relationships, therefore the Y-variables are expressed as the mean
response to the variables of X. The mathematical representation of the regression equations are:

For the purpose of this calibration equation the Y-variable represents either the gravimetric water content (GWC)
or the volumetric water content (VWC) and the X-variable represents the Scaled Frequency (SF).

T β define the relationship between the SF and the GWC as well as the VWC as
outlined in Tables 3 & 4 respectively. These values were derived for each of the soil types described. A generic soil
regression analysis was also conducted.

T ABLE 3 CALIBRATION COEFFICIENTS FOR GWC REGRESSION ANALYSIS

Soil Type 𝜶 𝜷 R2 n
Sand -6.004 0.3624 0.777 56
Clay -4.0527 0.4213 0.783 49
Silt-loam -2.0514 0.323 0.717 26
Generic -5.7405 0.4002 0.763 134
*R2: measures the portion of variability in Y (response variable) explained by the regression; n: observations

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AquaCheck Soil Calibration by Angelique Zeelie
(MSc Soil Physics) | 21.08.2014

F IGURE 1 GRAVIMETRIC WATER CONTENT (%)

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AquaCheck Soil Calibration by Angelique Zeelie
(MSc Soil Physics) | 21.08.2014

T ABLE 4 CALIBRATION COEFFICIENT FOR VWC REGRESSION ANALYSIS

Soil Type 𝜶 𝜷 R2 n
Sand -8.6463 0.5219 0.777 56
Clay -5.9575 0.6193 0.783 49
Silt-loam -2.79 0.4392 0.717 26
Generic -7.4347 0.5564 0.728 134

F IGURE 2 VOLUMETRIC WATER CONTENT (%)

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AquaCheck Soil Calibration by Angelique Zeelie
(MSc Soil Physics) | 21.08.2014

Example: interpreting calibration equations

After the foregoing introduction to the different calibration equations, an example follows to see how these
equations may be applied in practice. The generic equation’s values will be used for this example.

Generic equation interpretation:

The regression equation for gravimetric water content (GWC in %),

GWC = -5.7405 + 0.4002*SF-reading &

The regression equation for volumetric water content (VWC in %),

VWC = -7.4347 + 0.5564*SF-reading

For example, if the SF-reading (independent variable) measures a value of 50, the equations will derive the following
values for the GWC and VWC equations (response variable):

GWC = -5.7405 + 0.4002*50 = 14.3 %

VWC = -7.4347 + 0.5564*50 = 20.4 %

This generic equation was derived from a total of 134 observations (as given in Table 1 & 2), which is the combined
data for the three soil types and has an R2 –value of 0.73 for the regression equation relating to the VWC.

Conclusion:

The preceding soil calibration equations derived for the AquaCheck (Pty) Ltd sensor is unique to the product and
should by no means be used for calibrating additional capacitance products. The reported equations were
conducted for determining both gravimetric- and volumetric soil water content per soil type, as several current
patrons have requested different soil water measuring units. It is strongly recommended when selecting an equation
that it is based on the soil particle size distribution, textural class, of the soil closest to that which the AquaCheck
probes are installed in. If in doubt with regards to the soil textural class, select the generic soil calibration equation.

AquaCheck wants to highlight the importance of soil-and-site specific calibrations, as there are many external
factors which have an influence on each of the installations and therefore the calibration equations derived for
this exercise must never be deemed as absolute.

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AquaCheck Soil Calibration by Angelique Zeelie
(MSc Soil Physics) | 21.08.2014

Information & Queries

For additional information contact AquaCheck in South Africa:

Mr. Hannes le Roux

Chief Executive

Tel: +27 (0)21 970 5140

Fax: +27 (0)21 975 1254

E-mail: hannes@aquacheck.co.za

Web: www.aquacheck.co.za

Acknowledgements
We at AquaCheck would like to acknowledge the following participants from their various organizations for reading
and/ or given their valued inputs with the planning and completion of this project:

Name Institution

Mr. Tienie du Preez Private Consultant, South Africa

Dr. J.E. Hoffman Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Ms. Nordely Wright Oro Agri SA (Pty) Ltd., South Africa

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