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Introduction – Campbell Scientific Sentek EasyAG Installation Guide v 3.0 User Manual

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Introduction

Copyright © 1991 – 2003 Sent ek Pt y Lt d All rights reserved

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Introduction

The EasyAG Installation Guide provides important information about how to select monitoring sites and
install access tubes.

Site selection and access tube installation have a significant impact on the value of the soil moisture data
that can be gathered on your property.


Warning: Good Site Selection is Critical

To obtain representative soil moisture readings, the site where the access tube is

installed must reflect changes in soil moisture and crop water use trends which can

then be used to representatively schedule irrigations over a defined area.

This area may be an entire field or a subsection of a field where irrigation water is

applied during a watering shift.

The quality of access tube installation is critical. The access tube must fit tightly

against the soil and cause the least possible disturbance to the surrounding soil

profile.

To take soil moisture readings, access tubes are installed at monitoring sites, which should be chosen using
a series of proven evaluation methods described in Site Selection.

It is important to select monitoring sites so that the information that is gathered from them is representative of
the crop water use and soil water holding capacity of the surrounding area (e.g. irrigation valve or irrigation
management unit). At each site, between one and three access tubes may be driven into the soil. The
access tube prevents the direct contact of the Sentek probe with the soil.

Warning:

If you do not understand any of the information in the Site selection chapter,

consult a trained Sentek reseller or agronomist. Incorrect site selection or poor

installation can result in misleading data and/or crop damage.

If you have any questions, Sentek recommends consultation with a trained reseller or agronomist prior to
installation. Trained resellers and agronomists understand the complexity of site selection for irrigation
scheduling and the need for proper installation of the access tubes.