The Potential to Use Cosmic Ray Neutron Probe for Center Pivot Irrigation Management

Abstract.

When and how much water to apply are questions every irrigator needs to answer and they are continually looking for more economic solutions. Information to help answer these questions may come from a variety of sources such as sensors installed in the soil or using a hand soil probe. Either looks at a small area of the field which may be representative if there is only one soil type and minimal elevation change. Presented will be the potential application of cosmic ray neutron probe (CRNP) technology for irrigation management. CRNP mounted on a center pivot allows for determination of soil water content for a large area as the center pivot moves around the field. A CRNP was mounted on a center pivot irrigating soybeans during the summer of 2016. In 2017 two different center pivots in Florida were added to the test use. Information will be presented on the potential of CRNP technology for irrigation management and comparing CRNP data to other soil mapping technologies.