Systems and methods of cosmic ray sensing of soil moisture for turf grass and crop management

A cosmic ray sensing soil moisture management system comprising:

• at least one cosmic ray sensor (CRS) positioned within an environment, wherein the CRS detects a plurality of cosmogenic neutrons from a portion of the environment;
• a computing platform in communication with the at least one CRS, wherein data corresponding to the detected plurality of cosmogenic neutrons is communicated to the computing platform;
• a processing system within the computing platform, wherein the processing system determines a moisture level within the portion of the environment based on the detected plurality of cosmogenic neutrons, wherein the processing system is configured to activate an irrigation controller, the irrigation controller controlling an irrigation network positioned at least partially within the portion of the environment based on the determined moisture level;
• and
• wherein the CRS is movable in at least one of:
• a vertical direction, whereby a position of elevation of the CRS is adjustable;
• or an angular tilt direction, whereby an angle of measurement of the CRS is adjustable.

A cosmic ray sensing soil moisture management method, the method comprising:

• positioning at least two cosmic ray sensors (CRSs) within an environment and above a ground surface, wherein the at least two CRSs have an at least partially overlapping measurement field;
• detecting a plurality of cosmogenic neutrons from a portion of the environment with the CRSs;
• communicating data corresponding to the detected plurality of cosmogenic neutrons to a computing platform in communication with at least one of the at least two CRSs;
• and
• using a processing system within the computing platform, determining a moisture level within the portion of the environment based on the detected plurality of cosmogenic neutrons, whereby the processing system is configured to activate an irrigation controller, the irrigation controller controlling an irrigation network positioned at least partially within the portion of the environment based on the determined moisture level.