What is Plant Available Water?

Plants need water to survive, but not all the water in the soil is available to them. The water that plants can use is called plant available water. Understanding what plant available water is and how to measure it is essential for successful crop production.

Factors Affecting Plant Available Water

Several factors affect plant available water in the soil. The type and texture of the soil, the amount of organic matter present, and the depth of the root zone are all important factors that influence how much water is available to plants. Soil compaction, salinity, and pH also affect plant available water.

Clay soils can hold more water than sandy soils, but the water in clay soils is less available to plants because it is held more tightly. Organic matter helps to improve soil structure, which can increase plant available water. Root depth is important because plants can only access water that is within their root zone.

Measuring Plant Available Water

There are several methods for measuring plant available water. One of the most common methods is the use of soil moisture sensors. These sensors can be placed in the soil to measure the amount of water present. Other methods include measuring the water taken up by plants, measuring the weight of a soil sample before and after drying it, and using a tensiometer to measure the soil moisture tension.

The goal of measuring plant available water is to determine how much water is available to plants and when irrigation is needed. Knowing the amount of plant available water in the soil allows farmers to determine how much water to apply during irrigation and when to apply it.

The Importance of Plant Available Water

Plant available water is essential for crop production. Without enough water, plants will wilt, lose vigor, and eventually die. Understanding the factors that affect plant available water and how to measure it is critical for farmers to manage their water use efficiently. By managing their water use, farmers can improve crop yields while protecting the environment by reducing water waste.

Additionally, understanding plant available water is essential for determining the impact of climate change on crop production. As climate patterns change, the amount and timing of rainfall may change, affecting plant available water. Farmers will need to adapt their irrigation practices to account for these changes and ensure that their crops have enough water to thrive.

Conclusion

Plant available water is the water in the soil that plants can use to grow. Understanding what affects plant available water and how to measure it is essential for successful crop production. By managing their water use efficiently, farmers can improve crop yields while protecting the environment.