Soil moisture mapping

Finapp has patented a probe that, positioned 2m above the ground, measures soil moisture on a large scale (about 10 hectares), in depth (about 50 cm) and in real time. Finapp technology overcomes the limits of traditional measurements, using an innovative technology that exploits cosmic rays, or rather the neutrons they contain. These particles have the ability to penetrate deeply regardless of the type of tissue and culture grown, being absorbed only by water. Therefore, by counting how many neutrons come from the cosmos and how many neutrons escape from the soil after penetrating it, one can estimate how much water is present. Knowing soil moisture on a large scale makes it possible to have a representative value of the whole plot and to overcome the limitations of point probes and, just as important, is knowing the soil moisture at depth, where plant roots draw water. Knowing soil moisture is, moreover, a fundamental pillar for implementing the correct irrigation strategy in order to optimise crop yield and product quality, reducing the wastage of water resources. The CRNS technology used by Finapp is also recommended by the FAO in the context of Agriculture 4.0 and is already widely used in different types of crops/fields.