Product type · Precision soil sensors and telemetry
Capacitance (FDR) soil moisture probes
What is a capacitance (fdr) soil moisture probes?
Capacitance or FDR probes estimate volumetric soil water from the soil's dielectric response and log it continuously. They are the most common irrigation-scheduling sensor, but readings are point measurements and need soil-specific calibration, especially in clay or saline soils.
Organic collection: Continuous soil-moisture trends for scheduling irrigation on soil-grown organic crops. Supporting practice only.
Documented specification examples
Examples from commercial datasheets and independent sources reviewed by SeedMatch on 26 October 2026 (source records held on file). They are not universal ranges, guarantees or offers; confirm every value in the supplier's quotation.
| Measurement frequency (example) | about 70 MHz |
|---|---|
| Range, mineral soil (example) | 0–0.70 m³/m³ |
| Accuracy, generic calibration (example) | about ±0.03 m³/m³ when solution EC is below 8 dS/m |
| Accuracy, soil-specific calibration (example) | about ±0.01–0.02 m³/m³ |
Typical applications: Irrigation scheduling in orchards, vegetables and substrates.
Indicative price: not published — no current, comparable sourced price was found. Prices come only from reviewed quotations.
Evidenced sourcing countries: United States, United Kingdom, China (not a market ranking).
Advantages
- Continuous logging
- Low power
- Many integration options
Limitations and risks
- Point measurement, not whole-field
- Texture and salinity bias
- Air gaps at installation distort readings
Maintenance
- Install without air gaps
- Validate calibration against samples
- Check cables and loggers
Sustainability and compliance
A scheduling aid; water savings depend on how the data is used.
A 2026 field study found default calibrations erred by about 0.05–0.06 m³/m³ even for better sensors — budget for site calibration.
Questions to ask in your RFQ
- What calibration applies to your soil?
- How many sensors per irrigation block?
- Which logger and network does it use?
Components it depends on and projects that use it
Used in project kits: Export blueberries in substrate
Compare with related types
| Type | Maturity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitance (FDR) soil moisture probes | Mature | Irrigation scheduling in orchards, vegetables and substrates. |
| Time-domain reflectometry (TDR) soil moisture systems | Mature | Irrigation research, high-value orchards, trials. |
| Tensiometers | Mature | Irrigation scheduling, greenhouse substrates, research. |
| Soil EC and salinity sensors | Established | Salinity and leaching management, fertigated crops. |
| Wireless and LoRaWAN field telemetry | Established | Remote soil, weather and water monitoring. |
Questions buyers ask
Capacitance or FDR probes estimate volumetric soil water from the soil's dielectric response and log it continuously. They are the most common irrigation-scheduling sensor, but readings are point measurements and need soil-specific calibration, especially in clay or saline soils.
Install without air gaps. Validate calibration against samples. Check cables and loggers.
Point measurement, not whole-field. Texture and salinity bias. Air gaps at installation distort readings.
A 2026 field study found default calibrations erred by about 0.05–0.06 m³/m³ even for better sensors — budget for site calibration.
Add it to your shortlist with quantities and notes, then generate an RFQ. Our team reviews every request and coordinates suppliers; buyers and suppliers are not put in direct contact. Projects are qualified from USD 250,000.
Independent and official sources
Request capacitance (fdr) soil moisture probes through SeedMatch
Requests go through SeedMatch Group. Our team reviews each request and coordinates supplier contact; buyers and suppliers are not put in direct contact. The buyer service is free, and projects are qualified from USD 250,000.
SeedMatch does not manufacture, sell or certify equipment and has no contracts implied with any manufacturer. Suppliers remain responsible for product compliance and export requirements.
Availability and the ability to trade depend on the law of each origin, destination and transit country and on the relevant permits and approvals. SeedMatch Group is not a manufacturer, importer, exporter, seller or regulatory approver; requests are reviewed by our team before any commercial introduction. Each participant is responsible for the requirements of its own role under applicable law: suppliers for their products in the origin and destination countries, buyers for their own import permissions and due diligence. We do not guarantee any supplier's compliance. Participant responsibilities · Regulation & restricted items