TWO new environment monitoring sensors, Soilcrop and Thermocrop, have been introduced by Sencrop.
Water stress is an increasing concern owing to the changing climate, and the new Soilcrop sensor takes real-time measurements of soil moisture and temperature at depths of up 60cm. This enables irrigation to be triggered at the right time and turned off when soil moisture reaches the required level. In addition, it can be used to identify the most suitable time for other weather-dependent field work, including sowing and fertiliser application.
UK Account Executive at Sencrop, Mark Herriman, said: “Soilcrop takes measurements every 15 minutes at depths of 10cm, 20cm, 40cm and 60cm, giving an accurate picture of soil moisture content and temperature throughout the profile. If used in conjunction with Raincrop, a sensor that measures rain, temperature and air humidity, the app can show in a user-friendly graph the forecast soil moisture, using real-time data and forecasts. Producers can therefore be even more precise when it comes to crop management decisions.”
The second feature, the new Thermocrop sensor, offers an entry-level monitor to help predict frost damage up to four days in advance. It measures air temperature and humidity every five minutes and is integrated with Sencrop’s other weather management software to create predefined or personalised frost alerts within the app.
Thermocrop is a low-budget alternative to its big brother Leafcrop, which was launched in 2019. Whereas Leafcrop is a connected sensor placed on the plant itself to obtain accurate temperature, humidity and moisture measurements, Thermocrop is placed in the middle of the field for more general measurement.
