An Overview of MoisMIS

MoisMIS is an Xcel spreadsheet and workbook that uses Daily Data inputs of rainfall, irrigation, and soil moisture tension (SMT) @ 9” and 18” to schedule irrigation up to 5 days in the future.  SMT inputs are needed only 2 times per week (3-4 days apart). Electric resistance sensors with portable handheld meters have proven more reliable in farmer situations for program input than tensiometers. Soil moisture sensor feedback works best when sensors are installed within 30 days after planting.

Basic irrigation system, crop, and soil Setup Data must be entered ONCE at the beginning of the season. MoisMIS can schedule irrigation for Cotton, 110 Day Corn, 120 Day Corn, Peanuts, 130 Day Peanuts, or 150 Day Peanuts.

Crop water use curves for these crops project water needs based on observed crop growth stage and existing soil moisture.  A “CropADJUST” feature allows adjusting these curves in 3 day increments to match actual growth stage. To operate the program, select (point with cursor and ‘click’) the desired button.

Reports and graphs of Typical Daily Soil Water Use, Soil Moisture Deficit, Soil Water Sources, Soil Moisture Meter Readings, and GR/NET Water Distribution are available from the opening screen.

Here are some FAQs:

Open Existing Files

Enter Setup Data Information

Enter Daily Data

Generate Report

Graphs

Save

Exit

Contact


Open Existing Files

‘Open Existing File’ allows selection of any previously saved field for further use or inspection by MoisMIS.


EnterSetupData_Info

Enter Setup Data

‘Enter Setup Data’ is the place for entry of farmer ID, info phone #, crop and field ID, predominant soil type (where sensors are/should be installed) and irrigation system type, size and GPM. All this field specific information is entered here in five windows, which are displayed when the ‘Enter Setup Data’ button is selected. MoisMIS uses this basic information to schedule irrigation.  This field-specific information for each field to be irrigated should not change (except possibly for Crop Adjust) throughout the irrigation season.

The five windows for ‘Enter Setup Data’ include:

Farmer/Crop Info (Field I.D. and planting date);

Crop Selection and Crop Adjustment (where the expected crop water use is adjusted to match observed crop growth stage using ‘Crop Adjustment+’ and ‘Crop Adjustment-’. This must be done anytime during the season to match actual crop stage with crop stage on the irrigation report);

Irrigation System Info (select system type, then click ‘View/Enter Irrigation Information’ to enter system parameters, i.e., size/length, GPM flow rate, and soil moisture sensor installation date. Make sure to click ‘Calculate’ when you complete entering Irrigation Information, then ‘OK’ to close sub-screen);

Soil Info (county, soil type and texture @ 9” and 18” depths, and number of soil texture layers in top 24” of soil. Make sure to click ‘Accept Data’ when you complete the sub-screen);

Soil Layer Data (soil layer depths, minimum and maximum water holding capacities and top soil layer permeability. For any Peanuts crop, be sure to check ‘Field Has History of SoilBorne Disease’ if white mold, etc. has been a problem in the field in the past. Click ‘Calculate Soil Data’ when you complete this sub-screen.).

All the soil data you need for using this program can be found in your county Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) soil survey. You may also be able to access the NRCS WEB Soil Survey at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/. Soil texture is found in the “Engineering Properties and Classifications” table; Minimum and maximum soil moisture holding capacities (inch/inch) can be found in the “Physical and Chemical Properties of Soils” table.  All of this soil data will also be on the NRCS Soil Interpretation Record (BLUE SHEET) for each soil in the field. Remember to use soil information for the location you chose for soil sensor installation. The local NRCS office can identify these.


Enter Daily Data

‘Enter Daily Data’ is chosen to allow entry of daily rainfall, irrigation and soil moisture sensor readings. ENTER SENSOR READINGS <=0 AS 1.  Daily Data cannot be entered for a future date.


GenerateReport

Generate Reports

‘Generate Report’ allows selection of a report for any day in the season (except a future day).  Once the report is viewed, the operator can choose to print it or return to the Main Menu.


Graphs

‘Graphs’ allows viewing graphs of Typical Daily Soil Water Use, Soil Moisture Deficit, Soil Water Sources, Soil Moisture Meter Readings, or GR/NET Water Distribution.


Save

‘Save’ will save all field specific information in a MoisMIS Field File (.mud) by field number.  This must be done before exiting MoisMIS to save the field file.


EXIT

‘Exit’ closes the program.  The spreadsheet should be closed using the "X" in the upper right hand corner. If you are prompted to "Save", choose no.  Each field has already been saved using the "Save" button within the MoisMIS program.


ContactInformation

Contact

Please refer any questions to Ted Tyson (tysontw@auburn.edu) at Extension Agricultural Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL (Telephone 1-334-844-3542)