The Phase II project will design, construct, and develop near infrared fiberoptic prototypes for measurement of soil water and temperature in the field. The selective absorption of near infrared radiation by water with fiberoptic sensing techniques provides a means of probing and viewing in-situ, real-time, soil physical changes. A Phase I fiberoptic probe prototype will be modified and/or developed with various infrared and temperature components. A two-year program of laboratory testing and calibrating several modifications of the Phase I prototype using various soil types and ranges of soil temperatures is envisioned. The proposed effort will result in a compact, field, fiberoptic probe capable of measuring soil water and soil temperature simultaneously at different soil depths in real-time. The final prototype will meet a number of field requirements that can reduce the time and cost of taking soil physical measurements. This development will establish the basis for a commercial Phase II probe that will provide agricultural scientists, farmers, and other users with one field evaluation tool for soil water management decisions.Applications:A single device to sense several soil parameters will have applications in various agricultural disciplines. The fiberoptic probe has potential for commercial use by (I) soil-plant researchers, (2) both irrigators are dry land farmers, (3) horticulturalists and greenhouse operators, (4) serious home gardeners, (5) commercial lawn and turf services, (6) composting projects, (7) grain bin and feed mill operators, (8) waste water treatment managers, and (9) highway construction firms.
