Tensiometer based irrigation management

In AWD method of irrigation in rice,effective irrigation scheduling can also be done based on soil water potential as measured by tensiometer. Irrigation scheduling based on tensiometer saves irrigation water upto 50%. Tensiometers continuously monitor soil water status, which is useful for practical irrigation scheduling, and are extensively used on high-value cash crops where low water tension is desirable.It is ideal for sandy loam or light-textured soils.The measurement range is limited to less than one bar tension, accurate measurement is obtained below 0.8 bar. Coarse-textured soils require to be irrigated at 0.2 to 0.3 bar and finer soils at 0.3 to 0.4 bar soil moisture.