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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #213252
Title: Measuring Soil Temperature

Author
item Ochsner, Tyson

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/27/2007
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soil temperature is a critical factor in the germination and early growth of many crops including corn, cotton, small grains, and vegetable crops. Soil temperature strongly influences the rate of critical biological reactions in the soil such as the rates of nitrification and microbial respiration. Therefore, soil temperature measurements are useful in many contexts. Measuring soil temperature involves the following steps: 1) define the objective, 2) select the site, 3) choose measurement depths, times, and replications, 3) design data acquisition system, and 4) implement plan and maintain site.