Sensors

The original IRROMETER instrument was the first commerically available tensiometer, and is still the standard by which other methods are tested. Simple, reliable, and accurate, the IRROMETER continues to be the choice of many successful growers and consultants.

First introduced in 1979, the WATERMARK sensor has grown in popularity and gained acceptance worldwide for reliability and accuracy in measuring soil moisture. This Granular Matrix Sensor offers low cost, accurate readings, and easy integration with electronic reading equipment.

IRROMETER SR

Standard tensiometer for commonly found soil types, 0 to 100 cb gauge

Light to Medium Soils
High Accuracy
15-75 cb/kPa Irrigation Range
Sensitive to Medium Sensitive Crops

More Info

WATERMARK 200SS

No maintenance, high value, granular matrix sensor with 0 to 200+ range

Medium to Heavy Soils
Good Accuracy
30-200 cb Irrigation Range
Medium to Tolerant Crops

More Info

IRROMETER LT

Tensiometer for lighter or non-traditional soil types, 0 to 40 cb gauge

Coarse, Sandy, or Potting Soils
Highest Accuracy
5-35 cb Irrigation Range
Highly Sensitive Crops
Mini Version Available

More Info

IRROMETER Tensiometers

The IRROMETER Tensiometer is the standard in accurate soil moisture measurement, offering growers an inexpensive and reliable means of measuring soil moisture for irrigation scheduling. An IRROMETER will measure the actual soil water tension, which indicates the effort required by root systems to extract water from the soil. Because the IRROMETER is a true measurement of soil water potential, the instrument is not affected by salinity and does not require site calibration.

The IRROMETER is available in several models, with standard lengths of 6", 12", 18", 24", 36", or 48" dependent on the rooting depth of the specific crop. Longer lengths are available by request. For recommended installation depths, click here.

IRROMETER Family Brochure

90 Second IRROMETER Installation (YouTube)

SR

The "SR" Irrometer is the standard instrument for use in medium to heavy soils. Instrument includes a threaded replaceable tip as well as reservoir, air free gauge chamber and sealed stainless steel IRROMETER vacuum gauge with dual scale of centibars and kilopascals (0-100 cb [kpa] range)

SR Spec Sheet

LT

The "LT" (low tension) Irrometer is designed for situations where tensions above 30 cb (kPa) are rarely expected. Ideal for very coarse soils and non-soil container-media or where rapidly changing soil water status needs to be observed. Instrument includes a threaded replaceable (blue) Quick-Flo tip as well as reservoir, air free gauge chamber and sealed stainless steel IRROMETER vacuum gauge with dual scale of centibars and kilopascals (0-40 cb [kpa] range)

LT Spec Sheet

MLT

IRROMETER "MLT" (Miniature Low Tension) - designed for applications similar to the Model "LT" above. Ideal for use with very coarse soils and non-soil container-media. Its compact size and replaceable "Quick-Flo" tip make it the best choice for green house applications.

MLT Spec Sheet

Output Options

Options for connecting IRROMETER tensiometers to data collection or control devices are available, including switching gauges as well as 4-20mA and 0.5V to 4.5V output transducers.

Output Options

WATERMARK Soil Moisture Sensors

In use since 1978, the patented WATERMARK sensor (PN: 200SS) is an electrical sensing device that is buried in the active root zone to measure soil water tension.

The sensor consists of corrosion resistant electrodes embedded within a specialized granular matrix. Water in the soil exchanges with the sensor matrix, providing a measurement of centibars (or kPa) of soil water tension equivalent to the readings from an SR or LT tensiometer.

The WATERMARK is designed to be a permanent sensor, left in the soil to be read by logging devices or handheld readers. We offer our own reading solutions, but the sensor is also widely used by industry partners in their own applications.

WATERMARK Family Brochure

WATERMARK Reading Tools

WATERMARK Installation (YouTube)

Features:

0-200 Centibar range
Stainless steel enclosure
Will not dissolve in soil
Not affected by freezing temperatures
Internal compensation for commonly found salinity levels
Inexpensive
Easy to use
No maintenance

WATERMARK Spec Sheet

Integration Options

WATERMARK sensors require a reading device designed specifically to read them. For other devices which can read standard analog sensors, we offer adapters to allow easy integration:

200SS-SDI Adapter - SDI module that reads three WATERMARK and 1 200TS Soil Temperature Sensor
200SS-VA Adapter - Adapter reads one WATERMARK and outputs standard 0-3V analog signal

For directly integrating WATERMARK sensors in to your device project, our integration guide covers best practices and includes an example Arduino implementation:

WATERMARK Integration Guide

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