Portable Soil Tensiometer
Measure soil water potential 0–1 bar in the field with the TEN Series tensiometer.
Six standard depths (15–120 cm). Ceramic probe, analog gauge, no data logger needed.
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
Ask Louise about Portable Soil Tensiometer fit, setup, configuration, or quote prep.
Already working with us? Sign in to connect this with My Scientist.
Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Configured during quote
- SKU family
- AGR-0001
- Sizing
- Model-specific dimensions confirmed from the selected configuration
- Ordering
- Quote-reviewed before fulfillment
- Category
- Agriculture & Food Science
- Build notes
- Transparent polycarbonate
The TEN Series Portable Soil Tensiometer measures soil water potential directly in the field, giving you a real-time reading of how tightly water is held in the soil matrix. The instrument consists of a pressure gauge, a transparent polycarbonate tube filled with water, and a porous ceramic probe. Once the ceramic probe is placed at depth and wetted, it creates a sealed, air-free water column that equilibrates with the surrounding soil.
The operating principle is straightforward: when a difference exists between the water potential of the soil and the water inside the tensiometer, water moves through the ceramic probe until equilibrium is reached. At that point, the pressure gauge displays the soil water potential directly in bars, giving you an actionable irrigation or drainage decision without lab processing.
The TEN Series spans six standard tube lengths—15 cm, 30 cm, 45 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm, and 120 cm—letting you target the root zone depth most relevant to your crop, soil profile, or research plot. The key comparison qualifier between models is insertion depth: choose a longer tube to monitor water availability deeper in the profile, or a shorter tube for shallow-rooted crops and surface-layer studies. Custom lengths are also available.
Typical applications include irrigation scheduling in agricultural fields, greenhouse and nursery moisture management, soil science field studies, and drought-stress research. The portable, self-contained design means the tensiometer can be deployed across multiple plots with minimal equipment.
Measurement Range
- 0–1 bar (0–100 kPa)
Standard Tube Lengths
- 15 cm (Ten-15), 30 cm (Ten-30), 45 cm (Ten-45), 60 cm (Ten-60), 90 cm (Ten-90), 120 cm (Ten-120)
Tube Material
- Transparent polycarbonate
Probe Type
- Porous ceramic
Custom Lengths
- Available on request
What does the TEN Series actually measure, and in what units?
The TEN Series measures soil water potential—the energy status of water in the soil—and displays the value on the built-in pressure gauge in bars. The measurement range is 0 to 1 bar (equivalent to 0 to 100 kPa), covering the range most relevant to plant-available water decisions.
Which model length should I choose for my application?
Select the tube length that places the ceramic probe at the depth of interest in your soil profile. Standard lengths are 15 cm, 30 cm, 45 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm, and 120 cm, corresponding to the model designations Ten-15 through Ten-120. Shallow-rooted crops or surface-layer studies typically call for shorter models, while deeper root zones or layered soil profiles benefit from the 90 cm or 120 cm versions. Custom lengths are available if none of the standard sizes fit your experimental design.
How do I prepare the tensiometer before taking a reading?
Fill the transparent polycarbonate tube with water before deployment. Once the tube is filled, the ceramic probe becomes wetted and the system is sealed against outside air entry. This water-filled column is what transmits soil water potential to the pressure gauge, so complete filling without air pockets is important for accurate readings.
What is the measurement range, and is it suitable for dry soil conditions?
The instrument measures from 0 to 1 bar (0 to 100 kPa). This range is well suited for monitoring irrigation timing and plant-available water in most agricultural and horticultural soils. In very dry soil conditions where water potential exceeds 1 bar, the tensiometer may cavitate (lose its water column) and require refilling before continued use.
What components are included with each TEN Series tensiometer?
Each unit is supplied as a complete, ready-to-install assembly consisting of a pressure gauge, a transparent polycarbonate tube of the selected standard length, and a porous ceramic probe. No separate data logger or external reader is required—readings are taken directly from the analog pressure gauge.
Have a question about this product?
Have a question? Just ask.
Send it over and we'll email you a personalized answer — no call, no scheduling.
Prefer to talk it through?
Frequently Bought Together
