Removable Weighing Lysimeter for Use in Horticultural Crops

• Main Authors: Juan Antonio Nicolás-Cuevas, Dolores Parras-Burgos, Manuel Soler-Méndez, Antonio Ruiz-Canales, José Miguel Molina-Martínez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: water resources; precision agriculture; evapotranspiration; 3D modelling; construction
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/14/4865

Water resources management is a priority issue in agriculture, especially in areas with water supply problems. Recently, one of the most widespread technologies for measuring crop water requirements are weighing lysimeters. Nevertheless, this type of lysimeters are of large dimensions and require a civil work for their installation. In this article, we present a weighing lysimeter prototype (1000 × 600 mm² and 350 mm depth) designed to be used in agricultural farming of horticultural crops. We described the design details that includes ease of assembly, carriage and minimum soil alteration. Structural design results and construction process are also provided showing their performance under different tractors scenarios. The measurements accuracy results show the outcomes of the prototype after being tested. Finally, we discuss our design and measurements results by comparing them with other weighing lysimeters. In comparison, the prototype designed is an accurate and reliable device which reduces the surface and depth of the current weighing lysimeters.