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INTRODUCTION
“Smart” irrigation controllers such as soil moisture sensor (SMS) systems offer the opportunity to optimize irrigation based on measured plant demand in the irrigated system. Smart controller devices, such as weather-based irrigation controllers (WBIC) or SMS, utilize weather data and/or soil moisture readings to schedule irrigation. These devices can include onsite weather sensors, soil moisture sensors, or offsite weather data sent to the controller. This potential best management (PBMP) report will focus on soil moisture sensor (SMS) systems as a device potential for outdoor water savings. The most common type of soil moisture controllers are designed to bypass a scheduled event from an automatic irrigation system timer if the soil water content is above a certain threshold. This threshold is defined and set by the user.