Description

What is SoilQuality?
A battery powered connected sensing probe which measures ‘soil moisture’ and electrical conductivity (EC) of your soils nutrients.

SoilQuality is compatible with iOS and Android handsets.

How is soil moisture measured by SoilQuality?
SoilQuality moisture measurement is given in Absolute Volume Ratio (AVR), which is the ratio between the volume of water divided by total volume of Soil + Water after mixing both. At 70% AVR moisture the soil becomes extremely close to a liquid and not adequate for plants growing in soil. Therefore, SoilQuality has been designed with full scale at 70% and provides AVR Soil Moisture measurement between 0 to 70%; above 70%, the reading will remain at 70%.

EC Measurement and Soil Nutrients:
SoilQuality measures the Electrical Conductivity (EC) of soil.

On moist soil, at a given temperature, the EC of soil is relative to the amount of nutrients in the soil: an increase of the nutrient produces an increase in Soil Electrical Conductivity.

To capture nutrients in the soil, a plant needs water so minerals can be dissolved in water and be available as nutrients to the plant. In dry soil a plant will not be able to grow and capture any nutrients. Soil EC is also affected by the soil moisture: when the soil is dry, the EC greatly drops even if there’s minerals in the soil. Therefore, the Soil EC gives a good relative indication of the available nutrients to the plant.

Temperature is also a factor that will affect the soil’s EC level. Most EC agricultural standards are given at 25°C. The higher the temperature the higher the EC. As a rule of thumb, the EC of water increases by 2 to 3% for each increase of 1°C.

Comparison of Nutrient level in time or between different soil samples should be done based on the same moisture level and temperature.

When mixing a soil with a water solution, it is important to note that the resulting EC of the soil will be according to the EC level of the water solution combined with the mineral level of the soil and the moisture level of the mix of both.

EC Measurement in water or buffer solution
Although SoilQuality has been designed to measure EC of moist soil, it can also measure EC of water, buffer solutions and other liquid solutions, however the following precautions should be followed:

Protective cap should be removed.
During measurement, the moisture level will be saturated at 70%, this is normal
The ‘Soil Sensing Probe’ should be fully immersed; half immersed ‘Soil Sensing Probe’ will result in a half reading
Measured EC value should be compared with reference EC value of the water solution or buffer solution given as the current temperature of the liquid measured
The ‘Soil Sensing Probe’ should be gently cleaned with disinfectant alcohol if EC reading doesn’t match with expected value

‘Soil Sensing Probe’ should be gently cleaned with disinfectant alcohol if moisture reading doesn’t reach 70% in water.

A Battery powered connected sensing probe which measures ‘soil moisture’ and electrical conductivity (EC) of your soils nutrients. Uses 1x AAA Alkaline 1.5V

How to install battery:

• Remove battery cover
• Place 1x AAA battery into SoilQuality
• Replace battery cover and ensure white position marks line up between the main body and cap

1x AAA battery life lasts up to 1.5 years (based on 20 minutes recording periodicity)

*After changing battery, synchronize SoilQuality with our mobile App, performing this updates SoilQuality’s internal date & time registry and allows log recording.

Designed to be IPX5 water resistant, suitable for indoor or outdoor gardening usage

How to use sensor:
Remove protective cap
Gently clean with disinfectant alcohol front and back of the ‘Soil Sensing Probe’
You can either insert SolQuality up to the ‘Sensing Probe’ top for small pots, larger can be pushed to just below the ‘battery cover’.

After use, Do not clean with water, gently apply disinfectant alcohol to front and back of the ‘Soil Sensing Probe’

SoilQuality can store Up to 25,000 sensing records are stored locally inside SoilQuality

SoilQuality is compatible with iOS and Android handsets. How to connect to phone:

Install the latest version of the app

Turn on ‘wireless communication’ in your phone
Enable ‘Location’ permission
Launch Application
Tap the HOME icon to scan for new sensor(s)
Select available SoilQuality sensor “shown as green circle”.
SoilQuality will be shown as detected and listed within a few moments
Tap the ‘✓’ icon to start the download
Once download is complete, the SoilQuality sensor will be visible on Home page

What is Dashboard +
“iBebot Dashboard+” is a Web platform that provides a desktop interface with complementary features to the mobile application for SoilQuality and AirComfort, link here. The platform offers

Chart, to plot all sensors with unlimited history and data record backup
VPD (Vapour-Pressure Deficit) computation and graphing
Mold risk probability
Grow room Mapping
Export to CSV (excel)
THI (Temperature Heat Index) computation and graphing
*At current print run items 2 – 6 require a paid subscription

SoilQuality connects via Bluetooth 4.0, for optimum results ensure you’ve a clear line of sight for up to 30 meters

Both, SoilQuality can be kept in a single pot or used across multiple pots. Remember to clean with disinfectant alcohol if using within a new pot.

Measuring new data in a new pot:
After cleaning the sensor probe tip
Place SoilQuality in your medium
From the ‘Sensor Profile’, select your SoilQuality
Then hit the refresh button to see immediate readings