Evaluation of instruments for monitoring the soil–plant continuum

The response of the shallow portion ground (vadose zone) and earth structures is affected by interaction with atmosphere. Very frequently, surface covered vegetation and, as a result, transpiration plays major role in ground–atmosphere​ interaction. soil plant form continuous hydraulic system that needs to be characterised model ‘boundary condition’ geotechnical water flow problem. Water takes place because gradients head triggered tension (negative pressure) generated leaf stomata. To study soil–plant continuum, measured not only but also (in addition content soil). This paper first evaluates three instruments can used measure xylem tension, i.e. High-Capacity Tensiometer (HCT) Thermocouple Psychrometer (TP) for non-destructive measurement on stem, Pressure Chamber (PC) discontinuous destructive leaves. Experimental procedures are presented critically discussed, including data quality control instrument calibration, accuracy, precision. performance these evaluated terms precision accuracy via cross-validation. then addresses problem monitoring suction (pore-water tension) using second generation profile probe (fully encapsulated) use Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) coarse characterisation spatial distribution support design configuration sensors.