This paper proposes a methodology for plant root system and soil moisture analysis through the geoelectrical prospecting method. Overall, bench and field experiments are implemented to analyze the behavior of electrical conductivity of the soil in relation to moisture content and plant root system growth. Specifically, Wenner array and lateral profiling technique are used to stratify the soil in horizontal layers, performing in-depth analysis. Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) are used to analyze the root system behavior. Results show that the soil water dynamics can be observed through soil stratification in horizontal layers and the plant root system is correlated with apparent electrical conductivity of the soil. Thus, geoelectric prospecting methods can be used as an analysis tool, both of soil moisture dynamics and of plant roots, to support decision making regarding soil and crop management.

This work presents a methodology for horizontal soil stratification and a device for 3D soil mapping using the discretization of the Wenner’s method. The methodology starts from the application of the lateral profiling method in conjunction with the Wenner’s method to find the experimental resistivity curve. The Sunde’s algorithm is used to construct the theoretical resistivity curve. By utilizing these experimental and theoretical resistivity curves, it is possible to apply the optimization process to find the parameters: electrical conductivity and thickness of each soil layer. The area under study is discretized and the results related to all subareas are unified using interpolation process. The whole process which results in 3D soil mapping may be automatically produced using the proposed device.

This paper deals with the computation of ground resistance, surface voltage, touch voltage and step voltage, to mesh with horizontal wires arranged in different angles. The computer program implemented used in the mathematical modeling is based on the method proposed by Heppe, which allows obtaining the grounding parameters for homogeneous soil and soil stratified in two layers. The results obtained with the proposed method will be compared with other methods in literature. Also will be presented the results of a grounding grid using wires at various angles.