Noč et al. (2026) Enhancing soil moisture retrievals from cosmic ray neutron sensor in a peri-urban agricultural landscape

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural Water Management
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-06-24
• Authors: Matic Noč, Nejc Golob, Matjaž Pirnat, Urša Pečan, Špela Srdoč, Žiga Švegelj, Vesna Zupanc, Špela Železnikar, Luka Žvokelj, Rozalija Cvejić
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110564

Research Groups

• University of Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty, Slovenia
• Science and Research Centre Koper, Slovenia
• Atmosferix Ltd, Slovenia

Short Summary

This study aims to enhance soil moisture retrievals from cosmic ray neutron sensors in a peri-urban agricultural landscape. The research demonstrates the suitability of locally calibrated CRNS for drought monitoring at heterogeneous rainfed landscapes.

Objective

• To calibrate a scintillator-based CRNS system in a peri-urban agricultural landscape dominated by eutric and mollic gleysols.
• To assess the performance of various correction factors using multiple gravimetric campaigns.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Peri-urban agricultural landscape with heterogeneous mosaic of cropped fields, grasslands, sealed surfaces, and remnant vegetation.
• Temporal Scale: Continuous monitoring period from 26 July 2024–21 September 2025.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Desilets Eq. (1) for conversion of neutron counts to soil water content.
• Data sources: Gravimetric campaigns, in situ frequency domain sensors, and CRNS system data.

Main Results

• The weighted mean volumetric SWC closely matched the in situ FD SWC at 10 cm depth (mean difference = 1.7 vol% ± 1.5 vol%).
• The complete correction approach produced the most accurate results, with the lowest RMSE values obtained using N₀ from 16 October 2024 (RMSE = 3.81 vol%) and 4 June 2025 (RMSE = 4.00 vol%).

Contributions

• This study contributes to the discussion of the potential of non-invasive SWC monitoring approaches to enhance the accuracy of soil water assessment in agriculture.
• The findings provide insights into the application of CRNS for early drought onset detection in highly heterogeneous land-use settings.

Funding

• Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Noč2026Enhancing,
  author = {Noč, Matic and Golob, Nejc and Pirnat, Matjaž and Pečan, Urša and Srdoč, Špela and Švegelj, Žiga and Zupanc, Vesna and Železnikar, Špela and Žvokelj, Luka and Cvejić, Rozalija},
  title = {Enhancing soil moisture retrievals from cosmic ray neutron sensor in a peri-urban agricultural landscape},
  journal = {Agricultural Water Management},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110564},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110564}
}