Electronic Circuit for Detecting Leaf Wetness and Comparison of Two Sensors. A. Weiss, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Meteorology, University of Nebraska, Panhandle Station, Scottsbluff 69361. D. L. Lukens, Electronic Technologist, University of Nebraska, Panhandle Station, Scottsbluff 69361. Plant Dis. 65:41-43. Copyright 1981 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-65-41.

An inexpensive, easily constructed circuit for detecting leaf wetness operates on a frequency, which is a function of the amount of moisture on a sensor, to voltage conversion. Using this circuit the performances of two sensors were compared under field conditions. One sensor was a printed circuit board on which a grid network was etched and then painted with latex paint. The other sensor used a piece of white cotton cloth as an artificial leaf on a grid network of fine wires; its performance was superior under all conditions that caused leaf wetness.

Keyword(s): duration of leaf wetness, microclimate.