Soil Scout launches wireless subsoil oxygen sensor

Soil Scout, which focuses on underground wireless soil monitoring, has launched its newest product: the Happi100 oxygen sensor. Commercially available for the first time, the wireless, real-time monitoring solution allows turf professionals and growers to see the true impact of soil oxygen levels on plant root health.

“Healthy plant roots are not achievable without the presence of sufficient oxygen,” Soil Scout CEO Jalmari Talola said. “They can tolerate drought, they can cope in nutrient-poor soils, but oxygen uptake by roots is vital for plant respiration. Until now, we had no way to see if this process was under attack. Happi100 ends this today.”

“When soil oxygen levels dip below 10 percent for just four hours, plant root hair death occurs,” said Johannes Tiusanen, head of agronomy for the company. “Happi100 gives early warning of this happening, making it easier to prepare for, monitor and mitigate impact from events like adverse weather and over irrigation.”

Happi100 reads soil oxygen, moisture and temperature from the same measurement point and seamlessly integrates with Soil Scout’s existing platform for a suite of underground trend data. This comprehensive approach allows professionals in agriculture and sports turf management to make more prescriptive interventions.

“Initial readings have shown that parts of my green quickly rebound to optimal oxygen levels within hours of heavy rain, whereas other parts can take up to a week to recover,” Winston Golf head greenkeeper Erwan LeCocq said. “I can now be more prescriptive in my aeration approach, significantly cutting down on the work needed to keep all my surfaces optimal.”

Additionally, subsoil oxygen data will change how high-value, oxygen-sensitive cash crops like tomatoes are managed. Pairing soil moisture balance with oxygen readings enables precise irrigation adjustments, helping to maintain root health in environments where aeration is limited before harvest. A study of tomato production in Puglia estimates increased irrigation precision can deliver up to 18 percent increased yield per hectare. 

As part of Soil Scout’s larger vision to make previously unforeseen data available to everyone who works with soil, the company plans to continue developing innovative solutions that help professionals better understand and manage the soil beneath their feet.