Monitoring soil moisture regimes of field crops with gypsum blocks

Summary

Gypsum blocks proved to be a valuable tool for practical field research of crop water balances during the summer half year in a semihumid environment. Information on blocktype, calibration and compensation of temperature effects are given and the suitability of the gypsum block method is discussed using several examples of measured soil water tensions and soil water contents below different crops and bare soil. The main advantage of the gypsum block method is that they are suitable for monitoring soil water status below crops and plant communities continuously. After installation the nylon-impregnated blocks can be left in place for years and measurements may be taken from outside the crop stand thus avoiding any disturbances of the plants environment.