IRROMETER

The Irrometer Company has been manufacturing soil water measurement, control and sampling instruments used worldwide for irrigation programming since 1951. Their proven Irrometer tensiometers and Watermark soil water sensors are backed by decades of research and practical field experience. As the first company to produce commercially viable versions of this technology, they are the original name in soil water management and incorporate this expertise into every product.

For over 70 years, IRROMETER products have been the top choice for growers and researchers needing accurate field data to efficiently schedule irrigation. IRROMETER offers simple, affordable, and reliable solutions that enhance yields, increase profits, and conserve resources.

Moisture Meters (Irrometer & GDot)

Efficient irrigation improves yields, promotes plant health, and conserves resources. Soil moisture sensors provide insight into the root zone, enabling managers to make informed decisions about when and how much to irrigate. Unlike other methods that estimate irrigation demand, sensors offer precise measurements.

The Irrometer operates on the tensiometer principle and has been the industry standard since 1952. It consists of a sealed, water-filled tube with a special vacuum gauge and a porous tip installed at desired root zone depths. When the soil is dry, water is drawn out of the instrument, which the gauge registers. During irrigation, the vacuum draws water back into the instrument, effectively acting as a dummy root.

The Model LT (Low Tension) is ideal for coarse sandy soils and non-soil media such as peat, bark, sand, perlite, and vermiculite. It's perfect for managing moisture close to field capacity. The Model LT features a durable Butyrate plastic body resistant to soil chemicals, a replaceable “quick-flo” ceramic tip for fast response to soil moisture changes, and a hermetically sealed gauge ranging from 0 to 40 centibars or kilopascals in 1 cb (kPa) increments. The gauge includes a membrane vent for improved temperature and elevation compensation, a 2.5" diameter face, and a rustproof stainless steel body.

The instrument’s ceramic tip, with an O-ring seal, is easily replaceable in the field. A large reservoir with a screw cap holds a water reserve to replenish water lost to drying soil. Partially unscrewing the cap releases air and refills the tube from the reservoir. All ceramic-to-plastic connections are leakproof. The Irrometer fluid, provided with the Service Unit accessory, colors the water for easy level observation. The Model LT Irrometer requires the Service Unit accessory and the Soil Coring Tool with the initial order.

Features

• The IRROMETER operates according to tensiometer principle, measuring the soil water voltage. Soil water tension is the energy (vacuum) applied to the soil by the plant as it draws water for nutrition. This force is measured in centibar (cb) or kilopascals (kPa) of a high-voltage reading, indicating the dry end of the scale, and a low reading indicating the wet end of the scale
• The IRROMETER operates according to tensiometer principle, measuring the soil water voltage. Soil water tension is the energy (vacuum) applied to the soil by the plant as it draws water for nutrition. This force is measured in centibar (cb) or kilopascals (kPa) of a high- voltage reading, indicating the dry end of the scale, and a low reading indicating the wet end of the scale
• Consists of an airtight, liquid-filled pipe equipped with a porous ceramic tip and a special vacuum gauge.
• Sampling is taken during and after irrigation
• The drier the soil, the higher the meter reading
• Depending on the measured values, the controller will perform the operations manually or automatically

  Increasing the amount of water in the next cycle

– Increasing the amount of water in the next cycle

– Reducing or halting irrigation

• Actually, the Irrometer indicates how hard the roots work to absorb the water