Soil Moisture and Soil Water Management

What is the Best Measure of Moisture?

Soil moisture is a critical factor in plant growth and crop production. It is defined as the amount of water held in the soil, and it can significantly affect soil health, plant health, and crop yields. The best measure of soil moisture is one that accurately reflects the amount of water available to plants.

There are several methods to measure soil moisture, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Some common methods include:

  • Tensiometers: These devices measure the soil water tension, which is the force that plants must exert to extract water from the soil. Tensiometers are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, but they can be affected by soil temperature and salinity.
  • Soil moisture sensors: These devices measure the electrical resistance of the soil, which is affected by the amount of water in the soil. Soil moisture sensors are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, but they can be affected by soil texture and salinity.
  • Neutron probes: These devices measure the amount of hydrogen in the soil, which is proportional to the amount of water in the soil. Neutron probes are accurate and can measure soil moisture at different depths, but they are expensive and require specialized equipment.
  • Time-domain reflectometry (TDR): This method measures the travel time of an electromagnetic pulse through the soil. TDR is accurate and can measure soil moisture at different depths, but it is expensive and requires specialized equipment.

The best measure of soil moisture for a particular application will depend on the accuracy, cost, and ease of use required. For most applications, a soil moisture sensor is a good option. These devices are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and can provide accurate measurements of soil moisture.