Scope
Where this method applies
Use for container or bed observations where irrigation timing and root-zone water status are being compared over time.
Water & root zone · THC SOP
Root-Zone Moisture & Irrigation Observation
Create a repeatable irrigation/root-zone record that connects water delivery, substrate condition, plant response, and measurement method without treating one moisture number as universal.
Frequency
When to run it
At defined observation points around irrigation events or during a diagnostic study.
Preparation
Tools and preconditions
Required tools
- irrigation volume or duration record
- defined substrate moisture method or sensor when used
- container/zone identifiers
- drainage/runoff observation when relevant
- record sheet
Before starting
- Define the moisture measurement method and sensor placement before comparing readings.
- Record substrate/container type because water content and aeration behavior are method- and media-dependent.
Procedure
Run the method in order
Step 1
Record pre-irrigation state
Record time since prior irrigation, substrate moisture indicator, container mass or other defined method, and visible plant water-status observations.
Record: Record method, value, units, and plant observations.
Step 2
Record irrigation event
Record start time, delivered amount or duration, solution identity, and any relevant EC/pH measurement performed under its own validated method.
Record: Record event details and linked measurement IDs.
Step 3
Observe drainage and response
Record drainage timing/amount when relevant and any immediate evidence of channeling, pooling, slow infiltration, or uneven wetting.
Record: Record qualitative and measured drainage observations.
Step 4
Record post-irrigation state
At the planned interval, repeat the same moisture method and plant/root-zone observations.
Record: Record value, units, elapsed time, and observations.
Step 5
Compare through time
Use repeated records to evaluate dryback and consistency within the same substrate/container/method context.
Record: Record trends and changes without imposing an unsupported universal target.
Quality control
Verification checks
Pre- and post-irrigation observations use the same stated method when compared.
Container/substrate and sensor location are documented.
Irrigation event details can be linked to the measured response.
Evidence record
Fields to preserve
- zone/plant ID
- substrate/container
- measurement method
- pre-irrigation value
- irrigation amount/duration
- solution ID
- drainage observation
- post-irrigation value
- elapsed time
- plant response
- notes
Interpretation boundary
Limitations
Sensor values and dryback percentages are not automatically comparable across substrate types, sensor technologies, container geometry, or root occupancy.
Connected learning