Tensiometer for soil moisture measurements
The tensiometer is used to measure soil moisture at the end of irrigation.
The instrument consists of a sealed tube filled with water, featuring a porous ceramic cap at the end.
The tube is installed in the ground at the desired depth. In dry soil, water tends to escape from the pores of the ceramic capsule, and the reduction in internal volume generates a negative partial pressure.
An increase in soil humidity causes a reversal of the water flow, leading to a rise in pressure.
This partial pressure variation can be read using a pointer vacuum gauge or a pressure transducer for continuous data monitoring.
