Page 27 - 2025 GM spring

By integrating PoLRa, which utilizes
both microwave radiometry and GPS
for georeferencing soil moisture
data, with digital job board
technology, real-time georeferencing
of soil moisture readings can be
achieved as a PoLRa moves across
fairways. The resulting maps can
reveal patterns of soil moisture
variability, which can be more
effectively addressed once the soil
moisture calibrations are fully applied
(Figure 3a and 3b).
CONCLUSIONS
Microwave radiometry holds
potential to transform precision
irrigation on golf courses. Its ability
to provide accurate, large-scale soil
moisture measurements could
revolutionize water management for
Superintendents. By overcoming the
limitations of current sensors and
offering a non-invasive, efficient
method for real-time data collection,
microwave radiometry could
become essential in modern golf
course management. Although
further research is needed to improve
accuracy and reliability, the final step
to ease the implementation of
precision irrigation is integrating this
technology with irrigation systems.
This integration could reduce the
need for manual adjustments of
irrigation schedules by allowing the
system to recommend adjustments
based on soil moisture and possibly
other turfgrass or soil data.
Superintendents would then be able
to simply approve or adjust these
recommendations as needed. This
approach could ultimately lead to
more sustainable water use,
improved turfgrass health, and
enhanced overall golf course quality.
GM
Acknowledgement
The authors gratefully acknowledge
Chris Ortmeier, Director of Agronomy
at Champions Golf Club, and Cliff
Morris, Superintendent of the
Jackrabbit Course, providing space
for our research. We are also thankful
to the United States Golf Association
and the South Texas Golf Course
Superintendents Association for their
financial support. Special thanks to
Dr. Derek Houtz, Founder and CEO of
TerraRad Tech AG, for his technical
support with the PoLRa sensor.
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