ARS | Publication request: Performance of Continuous CO2 Measurements in Soils: A Preliminary Assessment

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: May 26, 2008
Publication Date: September 30, 2008
Citation: Stuebel, J., Collins, H.P., Perry, E.M., Elliott, T.V., Young, S.L., Pierce, F.J. 2008. Performance of Continuous CO2 Measurements in Soils: A Preliminary Assessment. American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. Houston, TX Oct 4-9, 2008, on CD.

Technical Abstract: Sensors for the continuous measurement of CO2 concentrations in soil are available but are not validated for real time, in situ measurement of CO2 in actively growing cropping systems. This study evaluated the Vaisala GM222 CO2 sensor over a range of soil conditions in the greenhouse and in the field. The CO2 sensors (range of 0 ¿ 10,000 µmol mol/1) were connected to an 8 channel data logger along with thermistors to measure soil temperature, Campbell Scientific CS615 soil moisture sensors, and a Figaro galvanic cell O2 sensor as needed for each evaluation. Data from the sensors were obtained every minute and transmitted via a wireless Ethernet connection to a server and data automatically stored in a data base. In the greenhouse, sensors were installed in eight 30 cm diameter pots containing Walla Walla silt loam (coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Haploxerolls) soil and seeded with Triticale (Triticale hexaploide Lart.) at a rate equivalent to 115 kg/ha. Sensors were subjected to various environmental changes of heat, light, and moisture. In one field experiment, 8 sensor arrays were installed in bare Warden silt loam (coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Xeric Haplocambids) soil in a grid arrangement to assess the variability among sensors. Finally, sensor arrays were installed in a bioenergy experiment under various crops and irrigation regimes. This paper will summarize the performance of CO2 sensors under a range of soil and crop conditions.