The volumetric method of soil moisture measurement is a straightforward and widely utilized technique for determining the water content of soil samples. This method involves the following steps:
An undisturbed soil sample is weighed using a weighing scale immediately after collection. This measurement represents the total weight of the soil sample, including both water and soil particles.
The soil sample is transferred into a metal can or weighing container. The container is then placed in a drying oven maintained at 105 degrees Celsius for 24 hours to evaporate all moisture.
After drying, the container and the dried soil sample are reweighed. This provides the dry weight of the soil.
The soil moisture content is calculated by subtracting the dry weight from the initial weight of the soil sample and dividing the result by the dry weight. The formula for calculating volumetric moisture content (θ) is:
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θ = [(Weight of wet soil – Weight of dry soil) / Weight of dry soil] x 100%
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The volumetric method of soil moisture measurement finds applications in various fields, including: