Comparisons of beta-ray and electronic leaf wetness sensors in a dew chamber

The performances of a beta-ray gauge system (sensor A) and an electronic sensor (sensor B) as leaf surface wetness detectors were compared in a dew chamber. Sensor A recorded longer surface wetness durations than sensor B under identical conditions of dew formation. The agreement between the sensors was close in recording the time of dew wetting when a white gauze cloth was used as an artificial leaf on sensor B. Leaf surface wetness duration due to the formation of dew can be measured more realistically by sensor A than sensor B. This is attributed to the utilization of a real leaf for sensor A and a physical model for sensor B as condensing surfaces.