The Weenat Fertigation Probe monitors three essential parameters for irrigation and crop nutrition management: substrate moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity (EC).
To interpret these measurements properly, the app takes into account the substrate type, irrigation method, crop, and growing environment (greenhouse or open field).
Parameters measured by the probe
The probe continuously records several types of data:
- Temperature is measured when the white part of the probe is immersed in the substrate. It influences the electrical conductivity measurement.
- Electrical conductivity of the soil solution reflects the ion concentration in the soil solution.
- Substrate moisture, expressed as a percentage of total volume, is calculated based on the two previous measurements. It helps monitor the drying and re-wetting phases of the substrate.
Role of the substrate in data interpretation
Calculations depend on the substrate selected in the app.
5 substrates are available:
- Soil
- Coco
- Peat
- Potting soil
- Rockwool
For each substrate, the app applies a specific water retention and electrical conductivity curve in the background. These equations are used to calculate moisture content.
Warning! When the substrate becomes too dry, electrical conductivity calculation is no longer possible (validity thresholds vary depending on the substrate). In this case, re-wetting the substrate is necessary to restore reliable measurements.