What is the Best Measure of Moisture?
Soil moisture is a determinant of the amount of water available to plants in the soil. There are two main measures of soil moisture: soil water content and soil water potential.
Soil Water Content
Soil water content is the amount of water held in the soil. Expressed as a percentage of the soil’s volume, soil water content is measured using devices such as tensiometers or soil moisture sensors.
Soil Water Potential
Soil water potential is a measure of the energy status of soil water. It is calculated as the difference between the pressure of the soil water and the pressure of the pure water at the same elevation. Soil water potential is measured using devices such as tensiometers, psychrometers, or pressure plates.
Factors Affecting Soil Moisture and Soil Water Finance
Several factors influence soil moisture and soil water finance:
- Soil texture and structure
- Organic matter content
- Plant water use
- Evaporation and transpiration
- Precipitation
- Infiltration
- Runoff
- Groundwater
Importance of Soil Moisture and Soil Water Finance
Soil moisture and soil water finance play a vital role in agricultural production. Soil moisture is crucial for plant growth and development, as it provides water and nutrients to the plant’s roots.