EnviroMonitors provide affordable weather and field measurement tools to help growers and greenkeepers make better and more informed decisions. There has been a noticeable increase in demand from greenkeepers to monitor soil moisture levels and relate these values to irrigation requirements, and therefore turf health. FieldScout TDR moisture meters manufactured by Spectrum Technologies, are a great product for this. “The moisture probe has become an indispensable tool in our putting green moisture management program. Game-changing tools like this do not come along every day.”[1] enthuses Randy Gatlin.

Testing for moisture levels using a knife or creating holes in the turf is a subjective (and destructive) way of differentiating between what is wet or dry. TDR meters give a numerical value that cannot be questioned. There are 2 modes of measuring soil moisture with the TDR meters. When using the probe in volumetric water content (VWC) mode, the meter converts a measured electrical signal into percent soil moisture content using an equation valid over a wide range of mineral soils. Using the meter in relative water content (RWC) mode, the reading provided is between 0 and 100, corresponding to a user defined higher and lower soil moisture reference level. A figure for water deficit is also calculated in RWC mode, which is the amount of water needed to take the soil moisture to the user defined levels. 

TDR100 is the handheld version. It provides an instant read out without the capability to store the readings or connecting to a GPS unit. Jon Zolkowski comments that “Over the winter we purchased two FieldScout TDR100 moisture meters. Over the last several days we’ve been spot checking greens with the newly acquired technology. The hope is, establishing a baseline now and getting familiar with the different acceptable ranges of volumetric water content of each green, will allow us to better utilize, and more efficiently use our irrigation on a daily basis.”[2]

TDR300 has the benefit of logging the data for later analysis for any areas there is particular concern over. This version is a waist height unit removing the need to kneel to the ground as with the handheld version. When used with a GPS unit the TDR300 stores readings with its geo-reference. Uploading this data to SpecMaps enables maps to be produced for illustrating changes. This feature is particularly useful for monitoring turf moisture on specific areas where your turf management plan has been modified through use of wetting agent or different irrigation timings, lengths or amounts. As Chris Hartwiger from the USGA comments “When combined with Spectrum’s mapping software, the moisture meter can be used to understand the spatial variability of moisture in the putting greens.”[3]

Patrick Quinlan at the Madison Golf Club uses the TDR300 and finds “it allows me to set a particular number that determines timing and quantity of water applied to the greens”. When looking to invest in a TDR meter greenkeepers often ask the EnviroMonitors sales team which number should be aimed for to get the best results from their turf. Quinlan explains that this “requires a learning process to determine what number provides enough moisture to support the plant without wilting. Each green will be different” [4]

As Quinlan suggests above, the monitoring of soil moisture is one of the key elements to good plant health. Randy Gatlin comments that “Too much moisture encourages maladies such as leaf and root diseases, softness, more susceptibility to mechanical damage, algae, etc. Too little moisture brings on wilt, higher canopy temperatures, and potential for more localized dry spot.”[5] and Quinlan concurs stating the “goal is to have enough moisture for the plant to survive but not excessive moisture leading to soft conditions that are not conducive to playability, disease management, or health of the root zone.”[6] The TDRs will give the information needed for greenkeepers to obtain the optimum moisture content each green requires resulting in healthy turf grass important for providing the ultimate playing conditions and good membership to clubs.

Doug Kieffer, Spectrum Technologies Soil and Water product manager, who recently earned his certification as Golf Irrigation Auditor, Landscape Irrigation Auditor and EPA WaterSense partner advises that “Spectrum has a strong focus on serving the greens industry. Part of this commitment involves being well-versed in all facets of irrigation management. As water becomes an increasingly valuable commodity, irrigation auditing will become a more attractive tool for superintendents," says Kieffer.

The TDR FieldScout moisture meters have also been endorsed by the United States Golf Association. “We do recommend that the staff begin acquiring the Spectrum TDR FieldScout 300 soil moisture meters to aid with bentgrass water management during the summer months. These moisture meters can be used to identify dry areas before visual symptoms appear which can help reduce bentgrass summer stress.”[7] Torrey Pines Golf Course used TDR 300 Field Scout Moisture Meter to improve irrigation practices by measuring the volumetric water content of soil in preparation for the US Open.

See the FieldScout TDR meters, or contact our sales team on 01243 558280, or fill in our Contact Form and we'll get back to you.

References:
1 Randy Gatlin Robert Trent Jones Trail, Golf Course September 2011
2 Jon Zolkowski Blue Hill Country Club, May 2011
3 Chris Hartwiger United States Golf Association June 2011
4 Patrick Quinlan Madison Golf Club October 2011
5 Randy Gatlin Robert Trent Jones Trail, Golf Course September 2011
6 Patrick Quinlan Madison Golf Club October 2011
7 Chris Hartwiger United States Golf Association June 2011