Improving irrigation efficiency by estimating evaporative demand will rely on reliable and accurate sensor data.  However, estimating evapotranspiration relies on accurate measurements of solar radiation, humidity, soil moisture, precipitation and wind, all of which present challenges.  My lab is conducting field trials to address many of these challenges and validate standard QA/QC methods under real field conditions typical to agriculture.

  • Evaluating CMOS temperature and humidity sensors measuring small, near-surface gradients
  • Field comparsion of quantum (SN500) and thermopile (CNR4) radiometer
  • Trials of air flow distortion correction for sonic transducers in non-orthogonal anemometers
  • Investigating time-scale dependence of closure of the surface energy budget