Summary
This study evaluated whether Sentinel-1 satellite soil moisture data could serve as a practical tool for monitoring agricultural field trafficability and preventing soil compaction from heavy machinery. Using extensive ground measurements of penetration resistance and soil moisture across a variety of crops in 2016–2017, the authors applied probabilistic methods to determine trafficability thresholds. The research demonstrated that coupled surface and subsurface soil moisture conditions occur at values ≥0.19 cm³ cm⁻³, and identified root growth and crop maturity as additional temporal controls on soil penetration variability alongside soil moisture.
UK applicability
The methodology is potentially applicable to UK arable and mixed farming systems, given similar climate and cropping practices, though UK field conditions and soil types may differ from the study location. Adoption would require validation using UK-specific soil types, crops, and rainfall patterns to ensure threshold values and coupling conditions translate reliably.
Key measures
Sentinel-1 surface soil moisture, in situ penetration resistance (soil compaction indicator), soil moisture coupling conditions (surface versus subsurface), temporal variability in penetration resistance across crop maturity stages
Outcomes reported
The study assessed the feasibility of using Sentinel-1 satellite-derived surface soil moisture to monitor field trafficability over 2016–2017, using in situ penetration resistance measurements across multiple crops. Trafficability was expressed probabilistically as the likelihood that soil penetration resistance would exceed a threshold at given soil moisture values.
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