Soil moisture
This is the amount of water held in the soil pores, expressed as a percentage of the dry soil mass or volume, which serves as a primary source for crop water uptake.
Также говорят: soil water content, soil humidity, moisture level
Monitoring soil moisture is essential for effective irrigation management, timing of tillage operations, and maximizing nutrient uptake. Maintaining appropriate moisture levels ensures that crops can withstand environmental stress and reach their full yield potential throughout the growing season.
Practically, measurements should be conducted across various soil horizons within the root zone. Accurate data allows farmers to optimize irrigation schedules, preventing both water stress and the anaerobic conditions associated with excessive soil saturation.
Common errors include relying on subjective visual observations rather than quantitative soil moisture sensors and ignoring spatial variability across a field. Over-irrigation without moisture monitoring leads to nutrient leaching, while under-irrigation stunts growth and reduces crop quality.