We have found considerable differences in retention functions measured in situ (MPS6 vs. 5TM) and in laboratory (Pressure plates). What could be the major cause of this problem ?
There may be several different causes of the difference. If there are no errors in methodology (such as the lack of equilibrium in the pressure plate apparatus or the lack of calibration of the field sensors), then the first candidate cause are the differences in soil structure (including the effect of the disturbed contact zones between the field sensors and the native soil, then the soil water hysteresis, the preferential flow (in the field, the larger pores may quickly fill or empty without affecting much the smaller pores) and, of course, the sampling error (the natural soil heterogeneity). Easy to answer but difficult to measure. Best regards. F.D.
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