Simple methods for soil moisture assessment in water harvesting projects

Simple procedures based on the uncalibrated use of soil moisture blocks were developed to assess moisture contents of soils cultivated under experimental water harvesting in dry-land Sudan. This experimental system is based on a series of earth embankments and parallel channels which divert floodwater from a central watercourse to adjacent cultivated lands. The achievements of water harvesting remained below expectation due to recurrent breaching of earth works. However, the procedures utilised to assess moisture contents proved successful. These can also be designated as a monitoring instrument for preventing breach damage in water harvesting projects