MPKit-406B Soil Moisture Instant Reading Kit
MPKit Soil Moisture Instant Reading Kit
For portable and convenient measurement of volumetric soil moisture content in sports fields, irrigation monitoring, mine sites, and landfills.
The MPKit is a reliable and convenient portable soil moisture sensor. The MPKit does not need calibration and is not affected by temperature. The sensor needles are stainless steel and are embedded in a reinforced body.
The MPKit has been reliably used in the softest soils to the hardest, most stony soils. The MPKit is used with the KD2Pro or the MTN02 when measuring soil thermal properties.
MPKit Soil Moisture Instant Reading Kit Features
- Volumetric Soil Water Content Sampling
- Highly Accurate
- Robust
- Portable
- Rapid Measurement
YouTube Video:
Unboxing Video – Indonesian
MPKit-406B Soil Moisture Probe Being Unboxed – What is included:
The MPKit consists of the following:
- MP406B or MP306B Moisture Probe. Rapidly measure soil moisture by pushing the needles of the sensor into the soil surface or the soil profile in an augered hole. The needles are welded to the body and will not break.
- Bluetooth Interface
- Android Phone with ICT MPKit app pre-loaded
- MPExt Rod consists of a pair of chrome extension rods. Each rod is 35 cm long enabling measurement of soil moisture to 70 cm depth in the soil profile. One rod connects to the MP406B and the other has a “T” handle. Additional 35 cm extension rods are available upon request.
- MP Case is made of high quality aluminium with strong foam cutout. The case carries the MP406B, MPM160 and MPExt Rod.
- MP Auger Set (optional) consists of a spiral drill bit and T handle. The auger set drills a 50 mm diameter hole enabling the MP406B to be easily pushed to the depth required for measurement.
MP406B Soil Moisture Probe
OPTIONAL: The MPKit can also support the MP306B sensor for pots in glasshouses or growth cabinets
The MP406B can be used to measure the soil moisture for scientific research or irrigation management. In either situation the MP406B can:
- Rapidly measure soil moisture by pushing the needles of the sensor into the soil surface or soil profile. (MPKit)
- Make measurements over time by permanently burying the MP406B and connecting it to a data logger. (MP406B)
- Control irrigation by permanently burying the MP406B and connecting it into an irrigation controller with industry standard 4-20 mA interface. (MP406C)
The MP406B Moisture Probe can also be used to measure the moisture content in many materials such as soil, food and materials used in roadway and building construction.
The MPKit is a very suitable substitute for the Neutron Probe for irrigation scheduling
Irrigation Scheduling
A series of holes are augered to the top (20 cm), middle (40 cm) and bottom (60 cm) of the root zone. The augered holes have a 50 mm PVC tube inserted. This enables routine measurement of soil moisture at the same location and depth for irrigation scheduling.
The MPKit, when used in this manner has the same application as the Neutron Probe.
Theory of Operation
The MP406B has a high frequency moisture detector, which uses the standing wave principle to indicate the ratio of two or more substances forming a body of material, each substance having a different dielectric constant (Ka).
The moisture measurement of the material is based upon the fact that in a water:soil:air matrix, the dielectric constant is dominated by the amount of water present. Then the soil water content can be measured exactly because changes in water content of the soil result in changes in the dielectric constant of the soil.
| MP306B or MP406B Probe | |
| Measurement Range: | 0–100 VSW% (Volumetric Soil Water %) |
| Accuracy: | 1 VSW% after calibration to a specific soil type, or 5 VSW% using the supplied generic soil calibration |
| Response Time: | Less than 0.5 seconds |
| Stabilization Time: | 3 seconds approximately from power-up |
| Environment: | Environmentally sealed, can be permanently buried in the soil. |
| Mechanical | |
| Total length: | 215 mm |
| Needle length: | 60 mm |
| Needle diameter: | 4 mm |
| Needle separation: | 14 mm |
| Needles: | Stainless Steel |
| Exterior: | ABS Plastic |
| Cable: | 4.5 m Standard |
| MPM160 Meter | |
| Analogue input signal range: | 0–1200 mV |
| Resolution: | 0.1 VSW% |
| Display: | 1 line 16 character LCD which displays battery status, reading number, raw mV and calibrated VSW% |
| Keys: | Light touch, field rugged keyboard; Double sided READ key for easy right or left single-handed field use |
| Memory: | 510 Readings E2PROM data storage so data will not be lost if battery is replaced |
| Power Management: | Power Supply – internal common 9V Battery Reading State <= 28 mA (3 secs) Waiting State <= 5 mA (40 secs) Sleeping State <= 1.8 µA |
| Download Cable: | Industry standard RS232 communication 9 pin female connector with supplied download cable Serial to USB Cable |
| Software: | ICT MPM Software, includes graphical interface, graphing capabilities |
| Optional Auger Set | |
| Shell Auger: | 50 mm x 1 m |
| Spiral Auger: | 50 mm x 1 m |
| Extension: | 40 mm x 0.6 m |
| T-Handle | |
Sedghi, M., Seyed Sharifi, R., Pirzad, A. R., & Amanpour-Balaneji, B. (2012). Phytohormonal Regulation of Antioxidant Systems in Petals of Drought Stressed Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 14(4), 869–878. http://journals.modares.ac.ir/article-23-5795-en.html Direct download of PDF available here
Zhang, W., Mo, J., Zhou, G., Gundersen, P., Fang, Y., Lu, X., … Dong, S. (2008). Methane uptake responses to nitrogen deposition in three tropical forests in southern China. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 113(D11). https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JD009195