AgroStudies

Tensiometers
 What is a tensiometer?
➢ A tensiometer in soil science is a measuring instrument used to
determine the matric water potential (soil moisture tension) in
different depths.

➢ Use of tensiometer will allow us to get a reliable and updated

feedback about the changes in the soil moisture around the
root zone.

➢ Tensiometers can help us decide the timing and amount of

irrigation.
Tensiometer parts
 How does it work?
Tensiometers are placed in the soil with the cup firmly in contact
with the soil in the root zone
.
Water can move through the porous cup and create equilibrium
with the soil water. A partial vacuum is created as water moves
from the sealed tube .

The vacuum causes a reading on the vacuum gauge , which is a

direct indication of the attractive forces between the water and
soil particles.

This reading is a measure of the energy that would need to be

exerted by the plant to extract water from the soil, and its
correlative to the moisture condition in the soil.
 How does it work
As the soil dries, the water potential decreases (tension increases),
and the reading on the gauge will increase.

After irrigation or rain, the soil water content will increase, the
tension will decrease, and the gauge will decrease as well.
 Understanding the reading
➢ Tensiometer measures water potential or tension, water
potential is commonly measured in units of bars or centibars.

➢ The water potential is negative because water is held by capillary

forces inside unsaturated soil pores.

➢ A reading of 0 means that the soil is saturated. As the soil dries,

water becomes less available for the roots and the water
potential becomes more negative.

➢ The negative sign is usually ignored for convenience.

➢ 1 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑟 ≈ 1 𝐴𝑇𝑀
Understanding the reading
 Calibration
The reading on the gauge when the tensiometer is saturated will
be different from 0, because of the preasure activated by the water
inside the tensiometer, and will be correlative to the length of the
tensiometer. For each 10 CM we are adding 1 centibar.
So if the length of the tensiometer is 70 cm, we will get a reading
of 7 centibars, and this will indicate the “zero tension” condition of
the tensiometer.
The reading of “zero tension” later on should be deducted from
the reading in the field.
 Positioning in the field
The tensiometer will be positioned around the active roots zone,
considering the crop and type of soil. Two or more tensiometers
may be required in one site, in different depths.
The site selected should represent the surrounding field
conditions.
Tensiometers should be located where they will receive typical
amount of irrigation.
Positioning in the field
 installation
After choosing the place for the tensiometers, we can install them in the
soil.
➢ measure the length from the center of the cup up to the wanted depth.
➢ make a hole in the soil in the wanted depth, using a soil drill or any
other instrument with similar diameter.
➢ fill the tensiometer with boiled water, and shake it to allow air to get
out. Check for leaks or cracks on the cup.
➢ insert a bit of fine textured soil back to the drilled hole. Pour some
water into the hole.
➢ insert the tensiometer to the wanted depth. If there are spaces
between the soil and the tensiometer, close it with fine texture soil (no
stones and clods).
➢ level the surface of the soil to avoid accumulation of water around the
tensiometer.
➢ mark the tensiometer with a number and its depth.
➢ prepare a form for registrations of the readings.
➢ Readings need to be done before 8:00 AM.
Summing the data into graph