ABSTRACT Agriculture is one of the segments that most uses water and developments have been made to save irrigation water. Deficit irrigation is a technique that can contribute to production and water saving in agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the viability of deficit irrigation in tomato production irrigated by subsurface drip in a greenhouse and estimate water saving. The experiment was conducted at the CCA/UFSCar, in Araras, São Paulo, Brazil, with grape tomato cultivation. It consisted of three treatments, 100 % water depth and deficit irrigation (75 and 50 % of water depth), with a randomized block design. Irrigation management was performed using mean soil moisture data collected through TDR probes installed in each treatment. Tomato plants were cultivated for 137 days and conducted vertically with one stem and six bunches. Fruit size, number and mass of fruits per plant, fruit pH and soluble solids were attributes measured and analyzed weekly. The deficit irrigation of 50 % treatment presented lower values in all attributes evaluated and 90.6 % of water saving. The 75 % treatment showed lower value only for pH and fruit diameter and 70.4 % of water saving. Deficit irrigation of 75 % was viable for tomato cultivation in greenhouse and for water saving in crop cycle.

ABSTRACT The use of new technologies to meet the demands of the agricultural market is increasing; however, technical information on application is scarce for some areas of knowledge, including irrigation management. The objective of this study is to evaluate an automatic irrigation system with capacitance sensors connected to a local wireless network for the semiautomatic management of irrigation in tomato crops compared with a manual control system based on time-domain reflectometry (TDR)-type sensors. The experiments were carried out in a protected environment, and the seedlings were transplanted following surface drip lines. The study adopted a completely randomized block design consisting of two treatments and 12 repetitions, totaling 24 subplots. The evaluated treatments were an irrigation management system with TDR sensors and a manually-programmed controller, and an irrigation management system with capacitance sensors and a semiautomatically-programmed controller connected to a digital assistant. Quantitative and qualitative parameters as well as the green and dry matter production were evaluated in each treatment. The results indicated that both sensors were effective in managing irrigation in tomato crops. Furthermore, both systems were accurate, and the Alexa® digital assistant was efficient in programming the GreenIQ® semiautomatic system by voice commands.

Abstract Given the lack of studies on subsurface drip irrigation in sugarcane plantations, there has been a growing demand for such information, mainly regarding soil solution profile and availability to plants. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of soil-water solution distribution on qualitative and quantitative traits of sugarcane irrigated by subsurface drip irrigation at two flows (1.6 and 3.5 L h−1). For each application rate, four PVC containers (500 L) were used and filled with sandy soil, where a set of 36 TDR probes was installed. Drippers were placed at a depth of 0.30 m. Irrigation was managed based on TDR daily measurements, maintaining soil moisture within the root zone at field capacity. Sugarcane variety used was RB 845210, being fertigated according to soil chemical analysis. The results showed that the distribution of soil-water solution became stable at different depth layers during applications, highlighting a relationship between soil solution storage and wetted soil volume. Moreover, irrigation flow rates had no effect on the distribution of water and nutrients throughout the soil profile, neither crop yield, technological quality nor root density.

ABSTRACT: Agriculture has sought ways to increase food production to meet global demands, intensifying dependence on natural resources. An alternative for intensive production has relied on the use of “smart” fertilizers that release nutrients in a controlled manner. Biodegradable polymers containing fertilizers has presented economic and environmental advantages when applied to the soil, as they release water and nutrients gradually to the environment without leaving residues. The objective of this study was to monitor the behavior of chitosan-clay hybrid microspheres, used as potassium nitrate soil ferti-releaser in lettuce cultivation. The experiment consisted of two treatments: (i) application of ferti-releasing chitosan-clay microspheres and (ii) use of conventional fertilization. Both treatments were monitored with TDR probes to measure electrical conductivity and soil moisture. The results indicate that both moisture and electrical conductivity are higher in soils treated with the ferti-releasing material. In addition, there was a gradual and homogenous release if compared to the conventional fertilization. The statistical analysis showed that the microspheres were efficient mainly for the controlled nitrogen release.

The use of controlled release fertilizers is a trend for improving productivity, reducing costs and environmental pollution. Such materials release gradually the nutrients to the plant in order to supply its requirement and are an alternative to improve fertilization. The preparation of a microsphere from natural materials (chitosan and montmorilonite clay) added with nutrients, according to the needs of plants nutritional, is one of the main motivations of this work. The addition of lamellar silicates as natural clays is a promising alternative to increase water and chemical compounds sorption capacity. In the present chitosan/montmorilonite clay composites were prepared via inversion phase and thermal, structural and morphologically studies were performed. The release of the KNO3 was realized in water using conductimetry and time domain reflectometry technique was used to monitor the in situ release in soil. Double coated microspheres provide the better nutrient encapsulation and a swelling of 200% was observed. The release was influenced by pH and fast release was observed for pH 4 and 5.5. According to the soil tests a slow release was observed since the KNO3 delivery was accompanied during 60 days showing higher values in the first ten days and a constant value until 60 days.

RESUMO O bagaço de cana-de-açúcar pode ser utilizado como suporte sólido para cultivo de microrganismos, e apesar de fundamental, o monitoramento da umidade em tempo real nesses processos ainda é pouco pesquisado. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo propor e validar a TDR para estimar a umidade em bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, visando a seu uso como suporte para cultivo em estado sólido, considerando a produção de ácido cítrico. A sonda de TDR proposta foi analisada fisicamente, e, posteriormente, para a validação dos resultados, realizou-se uma calibração com leituras da constante dielétrica do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar até à saturação do material, os quais foram comparados com o método-padrão e equação universal de Topp. Também, foram conduzidas em colunas de leito fixo preenchidas com bagaço a 80% de umidade, com monitoramento da umidade através de sonda de TDR para validar a técnica. Pôde-se verificar que existe viabilidade no uso da técnica da TDR para estimar a umidade volumétrica, e com o auxílio de ferramentas gráficas e regressão linear, foi proposta a equação de calibração: (θ= 0,0253*Ka - 0,0025). Com isso, pode-se controlar e monitorar in situ a umidade do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, através da técnica da TDR.

ABSTRACT Bagasse sugarcane can be used as a solid substrate for microorganism cultivation. Despite fundamental, moisture real-time monitoring of these processes is still poorly investigated. Thus, this study aimed at developing and validating a TDR probe to estimate moisture in sugarcane bagasse, which is used as cultivation mean of microorganisms considering citric acid production. The proposed probe was physically evaluated and then used to validate the results. Calibration readings of the bagasse dielectric constant were taken up to its saturation, and subsequently compared to standard method and Topp's universal equation. In addition, we carried out studies in fixed-bed columns filled with bagasse at 80% moisture, monitoring its moisture through TDR probe, so we could validate the technique. We concluded such technique feasibility to estimate water content. Furthermore, we proposed a calibration equation using graphical tools and linear regression (θ = 0.0253 * Ka - 0.0025). As a result, we could then control and monitor bagasse sugarcane moisture in situ by the TDR technique.

RESUMO Visando à otimização do uso da água na produção de alimentos, este artigo teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho da TDR e de um acionador automático para irrigação na produção da alface em solos com diferentes doses de um polímero hidrofílico. Em casa de vegetação, foram realizados dois ensaios em vasos de 3 litros cultivados com alface. O primeiro foi realizado na primavera de 2011, utilizando 2 texturas de solo (arenosa e argilosa) e a presença/ausência do hidrogel. O segundo ensaio foi realizado no outono de 2012, utilizando 4 doses de hidrogel (0; 8; 16 e 24 g por vaso) no solo de textura arenosa. Aos 38 (2011) e 44 (2012) dias após o transplantio (DAT) das mudas, foram realizadas as colheitas e a avaliação das plantas cultivadas. O hidrogel não representou uma fonte de erros para o funcionamento da TDR, e o dispositivo acionador automático para irrigação respondeu adequadamente à presença do hidrogel nos solos com diferentes texturas. Em geral, foi verificada maior eficiência do uso da água nas plantas desenvolvidas na presença do hidrogel. As plantas cultivadas em solo com 16 g por vaso de hidrogel destacaram-se em massa seca e fresca da parte aérea.

ABSTRACT This paper aimed at evaluating the performance of a time domain reflectometry (TDR) and automation of an irrigation system to optimize water use in lettuce production in soils with different doses of hydrogel. For that, two greenhouse experiments were carried out with lettuce seedlings in 3-L pots. The first experiment was performed during the spring of 2011 using two soil textures (sandy and clayey) and presence or absence of hydrogel. The second one was made in the fall of 2012 using four doses of hydrogel (0, 8, 16 and 24 g per pot) in a sandy textured soil. The evaluations were carried out at 38 (2011) and 44 (2012) days after transplanting (DAT) of the seedlings. Results showed that hydrogel application did not affect the TDR performance. In addition, the automatic trigger device used for irrigation had adequate resposnses to hydrogel application in both soils. Overall, plants grew better in soils treated with hydrogel and the application of 16 g hydrogel per pot stood out since provided larger amounts of fresh and dry matter of plant shoot.

O uso de efluente de esgoto tratado (EET), combinado com o método de irrigação por gotejamento subsuperfical (IGS) na agricultura, pode reduzir os custos de produção agrícola, fertirrigando de maneira eficiente as culturas. Neste artigo, compararam-se as dimensões do bulbo úmido formado pela aplicação de EET e água de abastecimento municipal (AAM), em um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico. Avaliou-se o efeito da qualidade da água e da vazão entre gotejadores utilizados na cultura da cana-de-açúcar. Três trincheiras foram abertas e 21 sondas de TDR com três hastes foram instaladas em malha, e um gotejador foi enterrado a 0,30 m, para cada vazão constante de 1,0 Lh-1 e 1,6 Lh-1. Comparando os resultados de diferentes perfis de umidade do solo, sugere-se que as dimensões vertical e horizontal do bulbo úmido sejam similares para a AAM e para o EET, sendo peculiares de acordo com as vazões utilizadas e o volume aplicado. Independentemente da qualidade da água, o aumento de 60% na vazão reduziu a infiltração em profundidade.

The use of treated sewage effluent (TSE) combined with the subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) method in agriculture can decrease the costs of agricultural production, in attempts to fertigate crops more efficiently. In this study it was compared the dimensions of the wet bulb formed by the application of TSE and municipal water supply (MWS) in an Oxisoil. We have evaluated the effect of water quality and discharge between drippers used in sugarcane crop. Three trenches were opened and 21 three-rod TDR probes were setup in a mesh and a dripper was buried at 0.30 m, for each constant discharge of 1.0 L h-1and 1.6 L h-1. Comparing results from different wetted soil profiles it was observed that the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the wet bulb are similar for both MWS and TSE, being peculiars according to the discharges used and volume applied. Regardless the water quality, an increase of 60% in discharge decreased the deepest infiltration.

Esta pesquisa foi conduzida em uma estufa agrícola instalada na área experimental do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal de São Carlos, localizado em Araras - SP. O solo da área experimental é um Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro, distrófico, de horizonte A moderado e textura argilosa. Os meloeiros estudados foram os híbridos Louis e HD 90. O experimento foi irrigado por gotejamento, e o controle da irrigação, realizado por meio de dois lisímetros de pesagem instalados dentro da estufa. A umidade do solo foi monitorada com uma sonda de TDR e mantida próxima de sua capacidade de campo. As informações climatológicas relevantes ao projeto foram coletadas em estações meteorológicas automáticas, instaladas dentro e fora da estufa. A evapotranspiração de referência (ETo) foi estimada pelos modelos agroclimáticos de Penman-Monteith, Penman, Makkink e do Tanque Classe A. Os consumos totais de água medidos nos lisímetros foram de 254,5 mm e 188,6 mm, respectivamente, para os meloeiros Louis e HD 90, os quais correspondem ao consumo médio diário de 3,18 mm e 2,35 mm. Todos os modelos agroclimáticos avaliados subestimaram a evapotranspiração de referência estimada pelo modelo padrão de Penman-Monteith, variando de um mínimo de 26,9%, no caso do modelo de Penman, até um máximo de 74,3%, no caso do modelo de Makkink. Os coeficientes de cultura determinados pelo modelo padrão de Penman-Monteith, considerando-se aqui o valor médio dos dois tipos de meloeiros estudados, foram os seguintes: estádio inicial: 0,20; estádio intermediário: 1,10, e estádio final: 0,50.

The research was conducted in a greenhouse installed at the experimental farm of the Center for Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, in the city of Araras - SP. The soil of the experimental area is dark red Latosols, dystrophic; moderate A horizon, clay texture. The melons studied were the hybrids Louis and HD 90. The experiment was irrigated by drip irrigation and control accomplished through two weighing lysimeters installed inside the greenhouse. Soil moisture was monitored with a TDR probe and maintained close to field capacity. The climatic information was collected in automatic weather stations installed inside and outside the greenhouse. The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was estimated by the Penman-Monteith, Penman, Makkink and Class A Pan models. The water consumption measured in the lysimeters was 254.5 mm and 188.6 mm, respectively, for melons Louis and HD 90, corresponding to an average daily consumption of 3.18 mm and 2.35 mm. All models underestimated the ETo estimated by the standard model of Penman-Monteith varying from a minimum of 26.9% in the case of the Penman model up to 74.3% in the Makkink model. The crop coefficients determined by the standard model of Penman-Monteith, here considering the average value of the two types of melon studied, were as follows: early stage: 0.20; intermediate stage: 1.10 and final stage: 0.50.

A utilização do efluente de esgoto tratado para poupar os corpos d'água utilizados para irrigação tem sido de grande interesse na agricultura, e o uso não regulamentado desta prática pode acarretar mudanças no comportamento físico-químico do solo. Sua prática tem sido de grande interesse em vista da redução da quantidade de água retirada dos mananciais, preservando-os. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, a avaliação dos atributos físico-químicos de um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo após aplicação de água de reúso. O experimento foi realizado em uma condição de casa de vegetação onde foram cultivados dois ciclos da alface-crespa (Lactuca sativa, L) com dois tratamentos, com três repetições cada: testemunhas (água de abastecimento proveniente de poço) e reúso (proveniente de esgoto local). Os resultados mostraram que não ocorreram aumentos em alguns atributos químicos de fertilidade, como ferro, magnésio, zinco, boro, potássio, nitrato, sódio e cálcio; decréscimo nos valores de matéria orgânica e manganês, além de diminuição da condutividade hidráulica e aumento na condutividade elétrica do solo. Observou-se, ainda, redução do pH no solo, além do aumento da RAS e PST. Desta forma, concluiu-se que a utilização de água de reúso para fins agronômicos deve ser de forma racional, monitorando-se, principalmente, a elevação do teor de sais no solo.

The use of treated sewage effluent to save the ponds used for irrigation has been of great interest in agriculture, and the unregulated use of this practice can cause changes in physical and chemical behavior of the soil. This practice has been of great interest in view of reducing the quantity of water withdrawal from the springs and its preservation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the physical and chemical attributes of a Red-yellow Dystrophic Latosol after the implementation of water reuse. The experiment was conducted in a condition of greenhouse where were grown two rounds of curly lettuce (Lactuca sativa, L. ) with two treatments with three repetitions each: witness (provisioning water) and reuse. The results did not show increases in some chemical attributes of fertility as iron, magnesium, zinc, boron, potassium, nitrate, sodium and calcium; decrease in organic matter and manganese, besides increase of hydraulic conductivity and the electrical conductivity of the soil. It was also observed a reduction of the soil pH, besides the increase of SAR and ESP. Thus it must be concluded the application of water reuse for agricultural purposes should be in a rational way, and the elevation of salts in the soil must be monitored.

O conhecimento da distribuição e armazenamento da solução no solo é de grande importância para a agricultura, pois a interação entre os nutrientes e a água é um dos fatores que influenciam diretamente no rendimento das culturas. Das várias técnicas utilizadas para o monitoramento da solução no solo, a reflectometria no domínio do tempo (TDR) vem sendo bastante difundida entre os pesquisadores por apresentar inúmeras vantagens, dentre as quais a mensuração em tempo real e a possibilidade de leituras automatizadas. O principal objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a distribuição da solução de KNO3 no perfil de um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo. Sondas de Reflectometria no Domínio do Tempo (TDR) foram utilizadas para monitorar a distribuição de solução no solo aplicada por gotejadores de fluxo constante nas vazões de 2; 4 e 8 L h-1. Considerando-se os resultados de diferentes perfis, observou-se maior armazenamento da solução próxima ao gotejador, diminuindo progressivamente para frente de molhamento. Pouco mais da metade da solução aplicada (65%) foi armazenada na primeira camada (0-0,10 m) para todos os ensaios, e 22% foi armazenada na próxima camada (0,10-0,20 m). Comparando-se diferentes taxas de aplicação, observou-se maior armazenamento de água para o gotejador de 4 L h-1, com 60; 72 e 63% de solução de KNO3 aplicada acumulada na primeira camada (0-0,10 m) para gotejadores de 2; 4 e 8 L h-1, respectivamente. Os resultados sugerem que, com base no volume e frequência utilizada neste experimento, seria vantajoso aplicar pequenas quantidades de água em intervalos mais frequentes para reduzir perdas por percolação.

Knowledge of water distribution in soil is of great importance to agriculture, since water is one of the factors that most influence the yield of crops. There are many techniques used for monitoring of soil water content, the Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) has been widespread among researchers to present several advantages, among which the determination in real time and possibility of automated readings. The main goal of this research was to evaluate the KNO3 solution distribution in a profile of a Dystrophic Red-Yellow latossol. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) probes were used to monitor the soil solution distribution from drippers discharging at constant flow rates of 2, 4 and 8 L h-1 in soil. Considering the results from different profiles, we observed greater solute storage near the dripper decreasing gradually towards the wetting front. About half of the applied KNO3 solution (65%) was stored in the first layer (0-0.10 m) for all experiments and 22 % was stored in the next layer (0.10-0.20 m). Comparing different dripper flow rates, we observed higher solution storage for 4 L h-1, with 60, 72 and 63 % of the applied KNO3 solution accumulated in the first layer (0-0.10 m) for dripper flow rates of 2, 4 and 8 L h-1, respectively. The results suggest that based on the volume and frequency used in this experiment, it would be advantageous to apply small amounts of solution at more frequent intervals to reduce deep percolation losses of applied water and solutes.

No período de 23 de junho a 23 de julho de 2006, nas condições edafoclimáticas da região de Araras - SP, estudou-se a influência da cobertura de palha de cana-de-açúcar colhida mecanicamente nos valores da umidade volumétrica de um Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro, distrófico, A moderado, de textura argilosa. A variação da umidade volumétrica do solo foi avaliada nas camadas de 0 a 0,20 m e 0,20 a 0,40 m de profundidade. Os tratamentos consistiram na cobertura do solo com quantidades de palha de cana-de-açúcar equivalentes a 0 e 1,5 kg m-2 (0 e 1,5 10(4) kg ha-1); o primeiro tratamento representando a condição sem palha, e o segundo, a condição com palha. Os resultados coletados na camada de 0-0,20 m mostraram que, no período estudado houve redução dos valores da umidade volumétrica do solo de 0,103% por dia, na condição com palha, e de 0,223% por dia, na condição sem palha, mais do que o dobro em relação à primeira condição. Quando se considerou a camada de 0,20-0,40 m, a diminuição dos valores da umidade volumétrica do solo foi bem menor do que a verificada na situação anterior, da ordem de 0,116% por dia, na condição com palha e de 0,159% por dia, na condição sem palha. Um ponto importante a ser destacado é que os tratamentos utilizados no experimento tiveram influência decisiva no sentido do movimento da água no solo.

In the period from June 23 to July 23, 2006, in the regional environment of Araras-SP, it was studied the influence of sugarcane straw coverage harvested mechanically in water content of a dystrophic dark-red Latosol, A moderate and clayey texture. The variation of volumetric water content of soil in these plots was assessed in layers of 0 to 0.20 m and 0.20 to 0.40 m deep. The experimental treatments consisted of covering the soil with quantities of sugarcane straw equivalent to 0 and 1.5 kg.m-2 (0 and 1.5x10(4) kg.ha-1), the first representing the condition without straw and the second condition with straw . The results collected in the 0-0.20 m layer showed that during the study period there was a decrease in soil water content of 0.103% per day provided with straw and 0.223% per day without straw, or more than double the water loss recorded previously. When it was considered the soil layer of 0.20-0.40 m, the decrease in soil water content was much lower than that of the previous situation, the order of 0.116% per day provided with straw and 0.159% per day without straw. An important point to note is that the treatments used in the experiment had a decisive influence on the direction of water movement in the soil.

A reutilização do efluente de esgoto tratado para suprir a falta de fontes d'água para irrigação tem sido de grande interesse para a agricultura e o uso desta prática, se não regulamentado, pode acarretar em mudanças no comportamento físico e químico do solo. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, a avaliação das alterações dos atributos físico-químicos de um Latossolo Vermelho amarelo, após a aplicação da água de reúso proveniente de uma estação de tratamento de efluentes por leitos cultivados. Um experimento em coluna de solo foi realizado em laboratório; 15 L de água destilada lhe foram aplicados e, logo após, mais 15 L de água de reúso e, a cada 5 L, foi coletada amostra da água lixiviada para análises. Os resultados mostraram, após a aplicação no solo, da água de reúso, redução de nitrato, potássio e valores da condutividade hidráulica saturada e aumento das concentrações de sódio, ferro, manganês, zinco e condutividade elétrica. Pode-se concluir, desta forma, que a utilização de água de reúso para fins agronômicos deve ser de forma racional, monitorando-se principalmente a elevação do teor do íon sódio.

The reuse of treated sewage effluent to water bodies to supply water for irrigation has been of great advantage to agriculture, and the use if not regimented could bring changes in physical and chemical properties of soil. This paper aimed the evaluation of the physical and chemical properties alteration of a Red-yellow Latosol after the application of reuse water from an effluent treatment station of wetlands. The experiment was accomplished in laboratory using a soil column. First, 15 L of distilled water were applied in the soil column and after 15 L of reuse water and at interval of 5 L of water a sample was collected for analysis. The results showed decrease of nitrate, potassium and saturated hydraulic conductivity values and an increase in sodium, iron, manganese, zinc and electrical conductivity of the soil after water application. In this way, it may be concluded that the use of waste water for agronomic activities must be used in a rational way, mainly checking the elevation of sodium.

Devido à falta de estudos sobre o movimento da água quando aplicada abaixo da superfície, realizou-se este trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar a distribuição de água aplicada pelo sistema de gotejamento enterrado e convencional. O experimento de campo foi conduzido na área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia Rural da ESALQ/USP - Piracicaba, SP. Para o estudo, trincheiras foram abertas e instaladas sondas de TDR, dispostas a 0,05; 0,15; 0,25; 0,35 e 0,45 m profundidade, e a 0,05; 0,15; 0,25; 0,35 m comprimento, totalizando 17 sondas por trincheira. Os tratamentos foram baseados na profundidade de aplicação (0,0 e 0,10 m) e vazão aplicada (2 e 4 L h-1): ENT2; ENT4; SUP2 e SUP4. A cada hora era aplicado 1 L de água (total de 10 L), seguida de leituras com o TDR. Medições do disco úmido e saturado foram feitas com régua milimetrada; além disso, estabeleceu-se um volume controle onde foi avaliada a uniformidade de aplicação; assim, foi possível verificar, em relação aos sistemas superficiais, que os sistemas enterrados apresentaram menor área superficial molhada e atingiram maior largura e profundidade; já as maiores concentrações foram obtidas próximas ao ponto de emissão.

Studies of sub-surface water movement is an interesting topic in irrigation but, in spite of the its importance, there is little literature. One of the purposes of this study was to contribute to this subject and evaluate the distribution of water applied by both subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and conventional irrigation. Experiments were conducted at the Department of Rural Engineering (ESALQ/USP), located at Piracicaba, SP. Trenches were opened and 17 three-rod TDR probes were installed, placed at 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35 and 0.45 m depths, and to 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.35 m intervals. This procedure was repeated using a dripper buried at 0 and 0.10 m for each discharge rate of 2 and 4 L h-1 tested. Wetted soil volume was observed with 1 L of water applications at intervals (total 10 L). The saturated disc around the dripper and the advance of the wetting front on the soil surface were measured with a ruler. Also, a central control volume was established inside the wetted soil volume where the uniformity of application was evaluated. The results suggest that SDI presented smaller wetted soil surface area and it reached larger distance and depth with greater storage of solution adjacent to the dripper.

A Reflectometria no Domínio do Tempo (TDR) é um método confiável para medidas in situ da umidade e da concentração da solução no mesmo volume de solo. Entretanto, a interpretação precisa da medida de condutividade elétrica do solo (e umidade do solo) pode requerer uma curva de calibração específica. O objetivo principal deste ensaio foi estabelecer um procedimento de calibração para usar a TDR no cálculo de concentrações de nitrato de potássio (KNO3) em solução do solo. Uma equação que relaciona a condutividade elétrica medida pela TDR e a concentração de KNO3 foram encontradas viabilizando o uso da técnica da TDR na estimativa da umidade e da concentração da solução do solo para o manejo eficiente da fertirrigação.

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) is a reliable method for in-situ measurements of the humidity and the solution concentration at the same soil volume. Accurate interpretation of electrical conductivity (and soil humidity) measurements may require a specific calibration curve. The primary goal of this work was to establish a calibration procedure for using TDR to estimate potassium nitrate concentrations (KNO3) in soil solution. An equation relating the electrical conductivity measured by TDR and KNO3 concentration was established enabling the use of TDR technique to estimate soil water content and nitrate concentration for efficient fertigation management.