Products
Dielectric Soil Sensor
Root-depth volumetric water content for soil moisture irrigation automation
The Farmnet dielectric soil sensor measures volumetric water content (VWC) at the root zone and feeds real-time data to the iSMART irrigation controller. When soil moisture drops below the configured threshold, irrigation starts automatically — no fixed schedules required.
our core strengths
Proven at Scale, Built for Performance
Farmnet manages the variables that determine crop consistency and operational efficiency. Systems are deployed across greenhouse, open-field, and indoor production environments, providing real-time control of temperature, humidity, CO₂, water delivery, and nutrient dosing.
Operating at national scale within the world's largest agricultural economy. Farmnet systems support dense networks of greenhouse and open-field operations across the highest-intensity production regions.
End-to-end production capability. Controllers, fertigation units, and system components are designed, produced, and validated within Farmnet's dedicated industrial facilities.
More than a decade of continuous development in agricultural control systems, refined through multiple technology generations and operational requirements.
Multidisciplinary engineering organisation focused on agricultural automation, control architecture, hardware design, and software systems.
Systems operating across diverse climates and production models—from arid environments to advanced controlled-environment agriculture.
Thousands of systems in continuous 24/7 operation, generating long-term performance data that informs system reliability and design.
Technical Specifications
- Measurement
- Volumetric water content (VWC, %)
- Method
- Dielectric permittivity
- Installation
- Buried horizontally at target root depth
- Integration
- iSMART irrigation controller
- Trigger
- Irrigation starts when VWC < setpoint threshold
Key Features
Threshold-based irrigation trigger
Replace fixed time schedules with plant-demand-based automation — irrigation only activates when the root zone actually needs water.
Root zone specific measurement
Sensor buried at the active root depth measures water availability exactly where the crop is drawing from.
Reduced over-irrigation
VWC-based control prevents unnecessary irrigation events, reducing water use and minimising disease risk from excess moisture.
Ecosystem
Works Together With
iSMART Irrigation Controller
Soil moisture threshold directly triggers and terminates irrigation cycles.
Learn MoreApplications
Where It's Used
Open field vegetable and fruit production
Soil moisture-driven irrigation for efficient water use in field crops and orchards.
Greenhouse substrate management
Monitoring soil or peat-based substrate moisture to avoid waterlogging and optimise root zone conditions.
Next Step
Irrigate when the crop needs it — not on a schedule.
Tell us your soil type, root depth, and crop. We'll confirm the right sensor placement and threshold configuration.