The EnviroSCAN™

- probably the best water monitoring device available

The EnviroSCAN logger and solar panel with a GSM modem for the remote collection of data

A standard EnviroSCAN probe showing a couple of sensors and the electronics which controls each sensor. The probes also have SDI-12 and voltage outputs allowing us to connect to many different loggers and irrigation controllers

EnviroSCAN™ is a very well establishes soil water continuous monitoring system wholly developed and manufactured in Australia. EnviroSCAN™ offers the best of both worlds; it combines the latest in electronic circuitry with basic soil, water and plant relationships in a system that is simple to learn and easy to use. (Beware cheap copies - they are not too good - using low quality technolgy!) EnviroSCAN™ is a powerful management tool for irrigators with a number of characteristics that set it apart from other irrigation management tools: It was conceived by agronomists and then designed by engineers It is only a means to an end; to collect data that can be used to determine the need for irrigation It has the backing of farmers; they invested in its development because they could see the potential for increasing yields, improving quality, saving power costs, reducing salinity effects on crops, and minimising seepage and damage to the environment The CSIRO Centre for Groundwater Studies has verified its accuracy

HOW IT WORKS EnviroSCAN™ measures the dielectric constant of the soil and consequently, its water content. This property of soils has been known for some time, but recent advances in electronics have made the technique both simple and practical enough to use as the basis of a field management technique for scheduling irrigations. Each logging facility can support up to 32 sensors in 2 runs of up to 16 sensors. The sensors are mounted one above another on a probe that is installed in a vertical PVC access tube at representative locations. With permanent horticultural crops, it is usual for two probes to represent a site. The sensors are energised by means of a solar panel and storage battery and the data on soil water content are stored for later display. Irrigation depth can be traced from the data and the refill and full points set for the particular soil. The extent and need for leaching can also be determined, drainage through the deeper part of the profile can be minimised and zones of water withdrawal by the plant can be observed.

 

 

HOW THE DATA IS HANDLED?

Soil water data is sampled at a frequency which can be set to vary from every 7 days to as little as every I minute between readings, depending on the configuration of the probe. The data is then stored in EnviroSCAN™'s custom-built logging system. The opportunity to sample water content frequently takes the guesswork out of joining values of soil moisture taken days or even weeks apart and thus avoids the potential for serious error. High frequency sampling also provides the ultimate resolution of real and continuous soil water dynamics as and when they occur.
The concept behind EnviroSCAN™ is unique and sets it apart from other devices; the processing, display and interpretation of the data it collects is the key to successful scheduling, NOT the collection of the data itself. From an agronomic perspective, the best decisions are those which are made on the basis of correct site selection and data interpretation.
EnviroSCAN™ can be supplied to users in one of two forms:

• With software for irrigators who can handle computers, graphs and trend lines without assistance

• With support from the supplier or from management consultants for those who cannot or prefer not to do so unaided with support from the supplier or from management consultants for those who cannot or prefer not to do so unaided
  

In both cases, EnviroSCAN™ software is an integral part of the system. A key feature is how the data are processed and displayed in ways, which help the irrigator make decisions relating to management of irrigations, and to cultural practices affecting crop production.

WHAT THE DATA SHOWS

The following parameters are vitally important in coming to the correct scheduling decision and they can be all quantified graphically for a single layer or combination or layers in a soil profile measured by EnviroSCAN™.

• Soil moisture extraction patterns
• Depth and distribution of roots
• Movement of the wetting front
• Rate of drainage and onset of field capacity
• Onset of crop water stress
• Effectiveness of rainfall
• Effect of environmental, crop specific and cultural management decisions on soil water depletion
• Cumulative rate of drainage of any combination of layers
• Cumulative rate of evapotranspiration to provide a total rate per logged site Illustration of changes is soil structure, e.g. compaction

FEATURES

Flexibility -
Will interface with a wide range of logging and monitoring devices

Stability -
Digital circuitry ensures high stability

Profile -
Compact, modular design for ease of installation and replacement

Safety -
No radiation, chemical or microwave sources

Servicing -
Minimal - it has no contact with the soil

Display -
Easy to use software displays data in ways to assist decision making.

Accuracy -
Highly accurate as verified by CSIRO

Operation -
Measures via an access tube in which it can be lowered, raised or permanently installed

Manufacture -
Designed to reduce end-user cost

BENEFITS

• Samples continuously
• Easily installed
• Provides objective basis for scheduling
• Simple to operate
• Maintenance free
• Is environmentally friendly

UK Distributor

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