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SAGE

SAGE is a low maintenance tensiometer connected to a high visibility display that can be easily seen from a distance for immediate insight of the soil moisture levels.

A no frill soil moisture indicator, SAGE provides simple and low-cost insurance against risk of over- or under-watering crops, shrubs and trees.
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Configurations

  • Seven vertically aligned coin-shaped indicators, each one with a black and bright yellow side. The more yellow coins are shown, the wetter the soil.
  • Easy to assemble and to install. All parts come in one package. End-user supplies the right length of ¾” PVC pipe for the desired depth of installation.
  • UV and weather resistant for years of operation outside
  • No calibration and no training required.

SAGE (Part number 5912F1) kit includes:

  • 0-200 KPa gypsum block sensor
  • 10ft gauge 14 wire
  • Test Plug to verify all seven coins are activated before installation
  • Polycarbonate
  • Visual display with seven (7) flip coins
  • Two (2) AA batteries

 

¾ inch PVC pipe (not included) ~8 inches (20 cm) to ~120 inches (300 cm)

Applications of Tensiometers in Agriculture 

Irrigation Scheduling and Management

  • Optimize irrigation timing
    • Tensiometers help determine when to irrigate by showing how much effort plant roots must exert to extract water.
  • Avoid over-irrigation and under-irrigation
    • Maintains optimal soil moisture levels, preventing both water stress and waterlogging.
  • Supports deficit irrigation strategies
    • Allows controlled water stress to improve crop quality in certain crops (e.g., grapes, tomatoes).

Water Use Efficiency

  • Reduce water waste
    • Ensures water is applied only when needed, improving water productivity (kg yield per m³ water).
  • Save energy and labor
    • Minimizes unnecessary pumping and field labor by timing irrigation accurately.

Soil Moisture Monitoring in the Root Zone

  • Assess water availability to plants
    • Measures matric potential at specific depths to understand root water access.
  • Monitor layered soils or root zones
    • Multiple tensiometers at different depths show water dynamics throughout the profile.

Crop-Specific Irrigation Management

  • Tailored irrigation for sensitive crops
    • Useful in crops that are particularly sensitive to moisture stress (e.g., lettuce, strawberries, potatoes).
  • Control irrigation for greenhouse and nursery plants
    • Tensiometers help manage water in controlled environments precisely.

Research and Extension

  • Soil–plant–water relationship studies
    • Used in experiments examining water uptake, root development, and crop response to moisture.
  • Extension programs and demonstrations
    • Practical tools to educate farmers about smart irrigation practices.

Salinity and Leaching Management (Indirectly)

  • Leaching fraction monitoring
    • Tensiometers, when combined with electrical conductivity sensors, can help ensure enough water is applied to leach salts beyond the root zone without wasting water.
Advantages of Using Tensiometers in Agriculture
  • Real-time, continuous moisture tension readings
  • No soil disturbance after installation
  • Easy to install and interpret for farmers
  • Inexpensive compared to more complex sensors
  • Works well in the irrigation range (0 to ~80 kPa)

Downloads

Datasheet
User Manual
Support Resources

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Goleta, CA 93117 – USA