Use of non‐contacting electromagnetic inductive method for estimating soil moisture across a landscape

There is a growing interest in real‐time estimation of soil moisture for site‐ specific crop management. Non‐contacting electromagnetic inductive (EMI) methods have potentials to provide real‐time estimate of soil profile water contents. Soil profile water contents were monitored with a neutron probe at selected sites. A Geonics LTD EM‐38 terrain meter was used to record bulk soil electrical conductivity (ECA) readings across a soil‐ landscape in West central Minnesota with variable moisture regimes. The relationships among ECA, selected soil and landscape properties were examined. Bulk soil electrical conductivity (0–1.0 and 0–0.5 m) was negatively correlated with relative elevation. It was positively correlated with soil profile (1.0 m) clay content and negatively correlated with soil profile coarse fragments (>2 mm) and sand content. There was significant linear relationship between ECA (0–1.0 and 0–0.5) and soil profile water storage. Soil water storage estimated from ECA reflected changes in landscape and soil charactenstics.