How AI is Making Soil Moisture Monitoring More Accurate
Monitoring soil moisture is important for farming, water management, and dealing with changes in the weather. It is quite tricky when a farmer is not directly on site. But thanks to some new technology and the help of artificial intelligence, we can measure moisture more efficiently even with large fields. Below, we will look at how some new technologies, specifically, Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensors and Gamma Spectrometry, can change the way we watch over soil moisture.
Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensors and Gamma Spectrometry
Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensors
These are special devices that use rays from space to figure out how much moisture is in the soil. These rays produce neutrons when they touch the soil. By counting the amount of neutrons, we can tell how wet or dry the soil is. What’s exciting about these sensors is that they can look at large areas, like 20–30 hectares, which is useful for studying big regions. Plus, they give us information in real-time, so we can see how soil moisture changes quickly.
Gamma Spectrometry
This technique uses the natural radiation from elements in the soil to guess how much moisture is there. Different elements give off different types of radiation, and by looking at this radiation, we can estimate the soil’s moisture levels. Gamma spectrometry is helpful because it tells us not only about moisture but also about the properties of the soil, like what it’s made of, but on a smaller scale, usually less than a hectare.
How AI Makes Soil Moisture Monitoring Better
Data Integration
Machine learning models can combine information from cosmic ray neutron sensors, gamma spectrometry, and pictures from satellites. By mixing all this data, we can create detailed maps of soil moisture that can be updated in real-time or at different times.
Real time monitoring
AI can work fast, so we can spot changes in soil moisture as soon as they happen. This is really useful for dealing with things like droughts or deciding how to water crops on a farm.
Predicting the Future
AI isn’t just good with numbers; it can also guess what’s going to happen. By looking at old data along with information about the weather and other things in the environment, AI can make pretty good guesses about what soil moisture will be like in the future. This helps us prepare for dry periods and manage the changing climate.
Precision Agriculture through Personalized Recommendations
When we put together data from gamma spectrometry with AI, it makes things easier for farmers. They get advice that’s just for them, like how much water to use, when to add fertilizer, and how to take care of their crops, all based on detailed soil information.
Environmental Monitoring
AI-powered soil moisture maps also help us look after the environment. They can show us where soil might be washing away, help us see how healthy our natural areas are, and guide us in using the land wisely.
AI and advanced technology like cosmic ray neutron sensors and gamma spectrometry are changing the way we keep an eye on soil moisture. This mix of technology gives us a full understanding of soil moisture, which helps with farming, managing water, predicting droughts, and dealing with changes in the weather. As AI continues to improve, it will give us even more precise and useful information about soil moisture, making our future more sustainable.
Further read
https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908649.pdf
https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/2207/2207.10537.pdf
