Why measure water potential?

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An ecologist installed an extensive soil moisture sensor network to study the effect of slope orientation on plant available water. He collected reams of soil moisture data, but ultimately he was frustrated because he couldn’t tell how much of the water was available to plants.

He’s not alone in his frustration. Accurate, inexpensive soil moisture sensors have made soil moisture a justifiably popular measurement, but as many people have discovered, a good hammer doesn’t make every soil water problem a nail. Water content can only show how much water there is. Hydraulic conductivity shows how fast water can move.  But water potential shows whether it will move and where it’s going to go.  

Click on the links below for a comprehensive look at the science behind water potential measurement.

Or want it all in one convenient place?

Download the “Researcher’s complete guide to water potential”—>

Six things you need to know

1. An introduction to water potential: Watch our latest webinar to learn the basics of soil water potential and how to use it. Read more—>
2. Defining water potential: Discover the science behind the measurement—understand the different components of water potential. Read more—>
3. How to measure water potential: Learn current methods for measuring water potential and the pros and cons of each method. Read more—>
4. Water potential—a little history: Explore the history of water potential measurement. Read more—>
5. Water potential in action: Learn how water potential and water content work together to help researchers understand the bigger picture. Read more—>
6. Water potential and soil moisture release curves: What they are. Why you need them. How to use them. Read more—>

Questions? Talk to an expert—>

Master the basics

In this webinar, Dr. Doug Cobos differentiates water potential from water content, discusses the theory, application, and key components of water potential: matric potential, osmotic potential, gravitational potential, and pressure potential.