News & Research
Read what the media, tech-savvy farmers, and leading agricultural researchers are saying about our soil moisture sensors, SDI-12 data loggers, and other technologies.
News
Understanding Acclima TDR Soil Moisture Sensors: Indoor Farming Guide
January 2023
How to capture soil moisture, temperature and electrical conductivity data using Acclima soil moisture sensors, targeting rock wool and coco coir substrates.
Evaluating Time Domain Reflectometry and Coaxial Impedance Sensors
February 2020
This report compares older and newer Acclima technology as well another soil water content sensor manufacturer. The study concluded: “The [Acclima] TDR-315L was more suitable for sensing volumetric soil water contents in soils with high clay content than the [other manufacturer’s sensor].”
Resolving Lab and Field Water Capacity Discrepancies
JUly 2019
This report talks about the usefulness of Acclima soil moisture sensor technologies (see Appendix A).
AE50 Awards Recognize Innovations in Farm Machinery
JANUARY 2017
An Acclima soil moisture sensor got a major nod from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The prestigious award was pinned on the Acclima TDR-315L Soil Water Content sensor for its affordable accuracy and innovative low-power requirements compared to typical TDR technology.
Soil Water Sensors for Agriculture –
Theory and Issues
January 2016
The whole spectrum of soil water sensing technologies is discussed with the pros and cons. Acclima time domain technology is put forward as an example of a very affordable and accurate technology for measuring and soil water content. (See pages 22, 33).
Evaluation of a Direct-Coupled TDR for Soil Water Content and Bulk Electrical Conductivity
November 2015
Peer reviewed article showing showing the results of Dr. Robert Schwartz’ evaluation of the Acclima True TDR-315. The conclusion of this study is that the TDR-315 is as accurate as a conventional TDR using a Tektronix cable tester. We here at Acclima find this report interesting in view of the fact that the Acclima TDR-315 is much less expensive and easier to use than conventional TDR.
Poster Accompanying Schwartz' Evaluation of the Acclima True TDR-315
November 2015
Poster showing showing the results of Dr. Robert Schwartz’ evaluation of the Acclima True TDR-315. The conclusion of this study is that the TDR-315 is as accurate as a conventional TDR using a Tektronix cable tester. We here at Acclima find this report interesting in view of the fact that the Acclima TDR-315 is much less expensive and easier to use than conventional TDR.
Effect of Temperature and Salinity on Precision and Accuracy of Soil Moisture Sensor Systems
July 2015
An article comparing several soil moisture sensor based irrigation systems to determine reliability under different soil salinity and temperature conditions. “Acclima resulted in the most robust and reliable system, with no practical reading variations when exposed to different combinations of temperatures and salinities.”
Researchers Work to Optimize Water Productivity
December 2014
This article gives an update on the continued research and development efforts by the USDA and Acclima, Inc. in producing a Wave-guide On Access Tube (WOAT), an extremely accurate soil moisture sensors that monitor the soil contiguously from the surface down to one to three meters deep.
Soil Moisture Sensors Provide Dramatic Reduction in Irrigation Water Usage
December 2013
Case study published in Everything About Water that reports on the dramatic water savings achieved by an irrigation consulting firm in California using Acclima technology.
Two Approaches for Optimizing Water Productivity
April 2013
Article from Agricultural Research that talks about Acclima’s and the USDA / ARS’s cooperative effort to bring new, easy-to-use, and low cost water-saving technology to farmers while maintaining good crop yields
Soil-Moisture Sensors May Produce Big Water Savings for Homeowners, UF Study Shows
November 2007
“The cost is changing rapidly. A few years back, a $400 list price and about $100 to install was common, but now we’re seeing products in the $100 to $200 range,” he said. A typical Florida yard would require one [soil moisture sensor], though larger landscapes would likely need more. To get the biggest savings, the irrigation system and the sensors must be in good repair, well designed and properly installed,” Dukes said.
Independent Research
| Report Title | Author(s) | Institution(s) | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accepted Article: Evaluation of the Acclima True TDR-315 by the USDA | Robert C. Schwartz | USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bushland, Texas | True TDR |
| Response of Acclima Digital TDT & Reg. Probe to Soil Moisture and Electrical Conductivity | Diganta Adhikari and Dave Goorahoo | California State University | Soil Moisture Sensor |
| Effect of Temperature and Salinity on the Precision and Accuracy of Landscape Irrigation Soil Moisture Sensor Systems | Cardenas-Lailhacar, B. and Dukes, M. | University of Florida | Soil Moisture Sensor and Suspended Cycle Controller |
| Standardizing Characterization of Electromagnetic Water Content Sensors | J.M Blonquist Jr., S.B. Jones, D.A. Robinson | Utah State University | Soil Moisture Sensor |
| Standardizing Characterization of Electromagnetic Water Content Sensors: Pt. 1 – Methodology | J.M Blonquist Jr., S.B. Jones, D.A. Robinson | Utah State University | Soil Moisture Sensor |
| A Time Domain Transmission Sensor with TDR Performance Characteristics | J.M Blonquist Jr., S.B. Jones, D.A. Robinson | Utah State University | Soil Moisture Sensor |
| Improved Agricultural Irrigation Scheduling Using a Soil Water Content Sensor | Jordan L. Varble, José L. Chávez | Colorado State University | Soil Moisture Sensor |
| Performance Evaluation of Selected Soil Moisture Sensors | José L. Chávez, Jordan L. Varble, Allan A. Andales | Colorado State University | Soil Moisture Sensor |
| Using Soil Water Sensors To Improve Irrigation Management | José L. Chávez and Steven R. Evett | Colorado State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service | Soil Moisture Sensor |
| Sensor-Based Automation of Irrigation of Bermudagrass | Bernard Cardenas-Lailhacar | University of Florida | Suspended Cycle Series Controller (formerly known as the RS500) |
| Tools for Turfgrass Irrigation Water Management | Garry Grabow, Ph.D, PE | North Carolina State University | Water On Demand CS3500 and SCX |
| Monitoring of Nitrate Leaching in Sandy Soils: Comparison of Three Methods | Lincoln Zotarelli, Johannes M. Scholberg, Michael D. Dukes, and Rafael Munoz-Carpena | University of Florida | Suspended Cycle Series Controller (formerly known as the RS500) |
| Irrigation and Nitrogen Best Management Practices Under Drip Irrigated Vegetable Production | Michael D. Dukes, Lincoln Zotarelli, Johannes M. S. Scholberg, Rafael Munoz-Carpena | University of Florida | Suspended Cycle Series Controller (formerly known as the RS500) |
| A Novel Electromagnetic Soil Moisture Sensor for Automated Irrigation Scheduling | J.M. Blonquist Jr., S.B. Jones, D.A. Robinson | Utah State University | Suspended Cycle Series Controller (formerly known as the RS500) |
| Four-Year Evaluation of Soil Moisture-Based on-demand Irrigation Controllers: Final Report | Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas-Lailhacar, Grady L. Miller | University of Florida and North Carolina State University | Suspended Cycle Series Controller (formerly known as the RS500) |