Analysis of Soil Variability Measured With a Soil Strength Sensor

In the context of precision agriculture, the knowledge of soil strength variability at the field scale may be useful for improving site-specific tillage. Moreover, rapid and accurate sensing methods for soil physical properties determination would favourably replace labour-intensive, time-consuming and expensive soil sampling and analysis. This study aims at validating conclusions of a previous study which was conducted to develop and test a soil strength sensor in field conditions. The coupled acquisition of the sensor's signals and the corresponding DGPS positions allowed establishment of maps for the three measured outputs, namely the horizontal force (F _x ), the vertical force (F _z ) and the moment (M _y ). In order to study the relationships between measured forces and soil physical parameters, a series of soil properties were measured on soil cores collected in 10 reference plots. Significant correlations were found between F _x and the average resistance to cone penetration at 25 cm depth (r = 0.95) and between F _x and average soil moisture at 30 cm depth (r = –0.95). These relationships were similar to those found in the first study. This sensing method proved its capability to characterise within-field soil variability.     

On-line soil mechanical resistance mapping and correlation with soil physical properties for precision agriculture

Measurement of local soil strength may be used for real time regulation of tillage parameters in precision agriculture. Cartography of soil physical properties will also facilitate the study of their influence on plant development and yields. The aim of this research was to develop and test in field conditions a sensor measuring on-line soil strength variations. The sensor was constituted of a thin blade pulled in the soil at constant depth and speed and a beam which transferred the soil–blade forces to a transducer fixed on the machine. This transducer measured the draft force (F_x), the vertical force (F_z) and the moment (M_y). A field experiment was performed in 2 ha field of silt soil (Hesbaye, Belgium). A soil strength map of the field was established by pulling the sensor at 5 m interline separation by a tractor equipped with a DGPS receiver. The relationship between the recorded forces and several soil physical parameters was studied by identifying 10 control plots on the sensor track. In each of them, cone index penetrometry profiles and soil water content were measured. Soil samples were taken in the centre of the plots to determine cohesion and internal friction angle, simple compression resistance, Atterberg limits, granulometry and pF curves. Triaxial tests identified over-consolidated soils in plots situated in the pounds of the field. Based on the parameters measured in the other plots, significant relationships were established between (1) a global penetrometry index and the F_x and M_y solicitations measured by the sensor (r²=81%); (2) gravimetric water content and the vertical force F_z (r²=78%). Interpolation by inverse distance with a range of 45 m gave the best result for the cartography of the three measured signals (F_x, F_z and M_y). The confrontation of those maps with pedological and topographic maps together with the statistical relationships and the farmer’s knowledge of the field showed high consistency. The results of this experiment in field conditions are encouraging and show the promising perspective of technological innovations allowing on-line characterisation of soil physical state for precision agriculture.