An experimental simulation of moisture distribution and its uniformity within the soil profile under laboratory conditions

This research is a study on the relationship of irrigation water treatments and soil moisture distribution uniformity (DU). Soil moisture distribution was based on long-term data sets that were collected using a novel electromagnetic sensor-based platform moving inside sub-surface horizontal access-tubes. The research was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions in a soil tank. The irrigation treatments regarding two case studies under dry and wet soil conditions (from permanent wilting point to field capacity) were conducted for a period of 115 and 110 days respectively. In dry soil conditions, the irrigation water treatments strongly affect the DU of soil moisture that can be achieved constantly using non-uniform irrigation treatments. In contrast, the DU of soil moisture in wet soil conditions was maintained at a high percentage and was slightly affected by irrigation treatments. However, obtaining accurate soil moisture information at a large scale over a long period can be used to improve water use efficiency.