Tensiometer
Tensiometer is an inexpensive way to accurately observe moisture in soil and can also be used for scheduling irrigation. It is a very simple tool that can be used to measure soil moisture in terms of soil moisture tension,
Unit of tensiometer is usually expressed in centibars (cbar).
Tensiometer is used to measure the continuous reading of soil water potential or tension, which gives an indirect measure of the soil moisture content.
What does high reading of soil moisture tension indicate
High reading of soil moisture tension indicates that the plants have to expend additional energy to abstract water from soil and when tension is low, then plants can extract water with less effort.
How do tensiometers work . Working principle of tensiometer
When tensiometer is installed in the soil, as moisture in soil declines water level in tensiometer tube goes down as water moves from the tensiometer through the ceramic cup into the soil, until the tension inside the tensiometer equals to the tension in the nearby soil. When equilibrium is maintained tensiometer gives reading of soil moisture tension in the soil which can observed in the vacuum gauge on the tensiometer.
What does tensiometer reading indicate
| TENSIOMETER READING | REMARKS |
| 0 to 5 cbar | Soils are saturated or nearly saturated |
| 10–15 cbar | Irrigated as soon as possible. Irrigation at 10 cbar during the flowering and fruit set, and at 15 cbar for the rest of the growing season |
| 25 cbar and higher |
There are signs of water stress, tensiometers can soon lose vacuum and require maintenance |
Tensiometer use
Tensiometers are helpful in scheduling irrigation in any crop, however, it is more widely used in horticultural crops in particular. It offers a suitable method that aids in making irrigation decisions. Tensiometers are most useful in cases where a crop’s water requirements are high and when any stress due to water shortage is likely to cause significant damage to crop potential yield and growth.
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