I wish to know how one can measure the soil moisture retention in the absence of soil moisture meters in a pot experiment.
Soil moisture retention can be measured using pressure plate apparatus. It can be done following desorption or sorption techniques. But most commonly desorption technique is employed as it is more accurate than the later. Desorption is done by gradually drying an initially wet (saturated) soil sample – by sucking the moisture in the soil at predefined energy level. Then, you take successive soil moisture contents (θ) for each suction or energy applied. Drawing the relation between θ and h, you will get soil moisture retention curve. For same energy or suction, clay soils store or retain more moisture than sandy soils.
Soil moisture in the field and pot culture in the green house may be measured at field capacity at about 16 to 20 % soil moisture and saturated soil at about 40 to 50% soil moisture with gypsum block with mercury arrangement in the plastic tube and in the laboratory with pressure plate technique..
Measurement of soil moisture at field capacity, saturated soil with the help of tensiometer consist of gypsum block with mercury arrangement.
One of the new methodologies is to use Profile Prob. Profile Probes are used within access tubes inserted into augered holes in the soil – correct installation is vital for accurate measurement of soil moisture profiles. The goal of installation is to produce optimal contact between the soil and the wall of the access tube. For further info, you can google about Profile Probe. All the best,
Soil moisture retention may be measured by tensiometer or pressure plate technique.
Soil moisture retention could be measured throuhh the use of tube-funnel technique however, this is a primary way of determining soil moisture content wiyhout the need of intense Kafula Chisanga laboratory equipment
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