Soil Water Potential
Soil Water potential measurement systems
The measurement of soil water potential reflects the availability of water within the soil, and the ease that the plant can draw upon that water. The tensiometer measures soil water potential using proven ceramic technologies. The TM7 Tensiometer provides an absolute measurement of soil water potential using sensor-based technologies.
About the System
ICT International offer solutions for the continuous measurement of the soil water potential connected with an IoT-capable datalogger. When connected to the online Dataview platform, any calculations required are performed in the cloud using metadata from the sensors and data logger, requiring minimal input from the user. Sensor combinations are built around two tiers of products, providing increasingly responsive and accurate solutions, culminating in a system that provides data that is suitable for detailed scientific study of plant water relations.| Parameter | Tier 1 (Good) Indicative / Observation | Tier 2 (Better) Decision |
| Plant Water Stress | Tensiometer | Tensiomark TM7 |
| Power system | LP | LP |
| Part Number | SWP-T1 | SWP-T2 |
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Email: sales@ictinternational.com.au
Phone: 02 6772 6770 (between 9am to 5pm New South Wales time)
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About the Soil Water Potential Stations:
All systems are built upon the ICT International Datalogger, which is optimised for the online Dataview data handling platform. Providing an all-in-one datalogger, with power management and data handling, the datalogger platform is expandable with optional communication and sensor expansion modules.
About the Data Parameters
The Soil Water Potential Station measures the following parameters which can be visualised in the online Dataview platform:
| Part Number | PWP-T1 | PWP-T2 |
| Soil Water Potential | In megapascals (mPa), calculated from the 4-20mA pressure transducer | In pF and converted to megapascals (mPa) |
| Soil Temperature | Yes | |
| Geolocation | Accurate to 5 decimal places (approximately 1.11 metres, depending on installation conditions) | Accurate to 5 decimal places (approximately 1.11 metres, depending on installation conditions) |
About the sensors
Tier 1 Sensors (SWP-T1):
The Tier 1 system is based on:
- Tensiometer: Jetfill tensiometers can measure very accurately small changes in soil water potential in the range 0-70 kPa, turf and vegetable crops are typically irrigated at 30kPa and cereal crops closer to 50kPa. The basic components of a tensiometer include a porous ceramic cup, a plastic body tube, water reservoir, and a vacuum transducer. The ceramic cup is placed in good hydraulic contact with the soil and allows transfer of water into and out of the tensiometer body according to the tension in the soil. The vacuum inside the tensiometer body equilibrates with the soil water tension, and there is direct response with a vacuum transducer. Available in a range of lengths to suit the required measurement depth in the range of 15 – 150cm
- Power System: Supplied with the Low Power system containing a 10-watt solar panel and matching mount, and an internal 6,000mAh battery. The power system can be expanded with a supplementary 10-watt solar panel and mount to provide additional charge when used in low light conditions (EP-L).
Tier 3 Sensors (SWP-T3):
The Tier 3 system is ideal for the detailed analysis of soil water responses
- TM7 Tensiomark: An SDI-12 sensor that measures the soil water potential, the TM7 Tensiomark is a fast response soil matric potential sensor which measures soil water tension from pF 0 up to pF 7 (1 up to 1,000,000 kPa). Plant wilting point is 1,500kPa, Maintenance free and frost resistant, the TM7 Tensiomark is factory calibrated and has excellent accuracy and stability.
- Power System: Supplied with the Low Power system containing a 10-watt solar panel and matching mount, and an internal 6,000mAh battery. The power system can be expanded with a supplementary 10-watt solar panel and mount to provide additional charge when used in low light conditions (EP-L).
Specifications
| Â | Tier 1 (Good) Indicative / Observation |
Tier 2 (Better) Decision |
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| Part Number | SWP-T1 | SWP-T3 | ||||
| Parameter | Sensor | Range / Accuracy / Detail | Value | Sensor | Range / Accuracy / Detail | Value |
| Soil | Tensiometer | Measuring Range | +100kPa to -100kPa | TM7 | Measuring Range | 1-1,000 mPa (pF 0 to pF 7.0) |
| Resolution | 0.1 kPa | Resolution | 0.01 pF | |||
| Accuracy | ±1.0% span | Accuracy | +/- 30 hPa & 5 % FS = 0,35 pF | |||
| Power system | LP | Solar Panel | 10W | LP | Solar Panel | 10W |
| Battery | 6,000mAh LiPO4 | Battery | 6,000mAh LiPO4 | |||
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