Tensiometer models
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WHAT ARE TENSIOMETERS?
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TENSIOMETERS are instruments developed to measure TENSIONS,
as their name indicates. The A.M.I./AIDL tensiometers have been specifically designed to
provide tension values (called MATRIX TENSIONS) indicative of the moisture present in
the soil which is available to the plants.
These tensiometers are particularly useful in large scale
irrigation (fields) or for establishing the watering strategy of private and public gardens.
Well-known agricultural institutes around the world have shown that
the A.M.I.-AIDL TENSIOMETERS are:
- HIGHLY RELIABLE
and
- ACCURATE in their
measurements.
The A.M.I./AIDL tensiometers are composed of three main parts:
- a ceramic cap
- a pipe of different length which should (at least initially) be filled with water and
- a vacuum manometer or other kind of tension measuring instrument like the electronic transducers.
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Studies have also shown that using
A.M.I./AIDL tensiometers results in an:
- INCREASE in CROP YIELD both in:
- while using LESS WATER.
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MONITORING OF THE PLANT'S NEEDS IN WATER
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For roots, too much water is as dangerous as too little water,
thus knowledge of the amount of water actually available to the roots will help to guide
the farmer in his irrigation strategy.
The A.M.I./AIDL TENSIOMETERS allow the user to measure the
level of soil-moisture tension and to determine for each crop the optimal irrigation
strategy, that is both the optimal window of time when to water and the optimal amount
of water to use each time.
It is advisable that continuous records of the tensiometers
readings be kept on control charts or computerized database. Such records are very helpful,
specially when plotted on graphs, in planning future irrigation schedule.
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With the A.M.I. TENSIOMETERS:
- SAVE ON CONSUMPTION OF
- WATER
- FERTILIZERS
- ENERGY (less water used means less water to pump too).
- IMPROVE THE RENTABILTY OF FARMING (reduced costs and more and better crop).
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HOW TO USE THE A.M.I./AIDL TENSIOMETERS?
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The A.M.I./AIDL tensiometers are placed in the soil,
at the proper depth, in tight contact with the soil particles. In order to determine the
type and amount of tensiometers that an user wishes to install in his/her fields/gardens,
he/she should take into account certain considerations:
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- 1. SELECT KEY LOCATIONS:
The choice of the strategic locations where to install the A.M.I./AIDL tensiometers
depends on different factors
including the:
- type of soil
- type of crop
- depth of root zone
- spacing of springlers if applicable
- slopiness of the field
- 2. SELECT THE NUMBER OF TENSIOMETERS:
- 1 or 3 tensiometers per station depending on the root system
To get a precise picture of the water available to the roots, it is generally adviced
to place at least one tensiometer above the roots and one tensiometer below the roots
for each station. A third tensiometer can be placed right in the middle of the roots.
- Number of Tensiometers stations
The number of control stations varies according to:
- local conditions
- type of crop
But generally, irrigation efficiency increases as more control
stations are installed in a given cultured area.
- 3. ESTABLISH THE IRRIGATION STRATEGY
It will vary according to the type of soil and type of plants.
It is thus adviced to start collecting the tensions values after 2 or 3 initial irrigations
and then to keep records of the found values, plot them on a graph and respond to the
variations as needed.
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- NO SET UP HASSLE
- NO HEAVY MAINTENANCE
- with ACCURATE measurements
- and RELIABLE VALUES
The A.M.I./AIDL Tensiometers are extremely simple to use and to maintain:
- SET UP: fill the tensiometer tubing with regular water.
- Maintenance: Only refill the tube with regular water
whenever necessary.
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TENSIOMETER MODELS
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A.M.I./AIDL produce a broad variety of tensiometers that fit
different types of soils, accomodate different sizes of fields and respond to different
users' needs and budget.
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| All the A.M.I./AIDL tensiometers come in standard or custom sizes.
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The irrigation controller uses tensiometric data collected by tensiometers placed at strategic points
to automatically activate sprinklers. Based on the soil-moisture values provided by the Tensiometers,
the operating valves get turned on or off.
- Electronic Controller, TC-3001/D.
Initially the user set up two treshold values on the electronic controller:
the lower and the higher thresholds
Then the controller gets connected to the tensiometers, collects the soil-moisture values
and compare them with those of the lower and higher thresholds. If the soil-moisture values are higher than
the higher threshold value, then the controller will induce the opening of the irrigation valve.
The valve will remain open as long as the soil moisture remains higher than the lower threshold value. Finally,
when the soil moisture reaches the lower threshold values, the valve closes.
Tensiometer.
It is planted into the ground and measures soil-moisture tensions.
An obvious advantage of the AMI/AIDL irrigation controller is that the activation of the sprinklers
is directly regulated by the plants' real needs in water. However, the functions of the A.M.I./AIDL irrigation
controller TC-3001 can also be modulated by a timer. In this latter case, the valves will only open
when both the controller TC-3001 and the timer will allow it.
The use of such an irrigation controller allows for huge savings in water and fertilizers.
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A.M.I./AIDL company has developed a method of measuring and collecting data which is based on the
separation of the Tensiometer into two parts:
- Electronic Data Collector T-6001.
It has the size of a pocket calculator; It is carried by the user, and connected to the tensiometers
during measuring only.
The connection between the Tensiometer and the data collector
occurs through a unique valve and not through a needle.
The connection between the Data Collector
and the computer requires a RS-232 cable (parallel connection), which can be purchased from A.M.I./AIDL.
The Data collector is provided with the necessary software. This software is PC compatible and works
on most microsoft window platforms including Xp.
Tensiometer(s) with a special valve T-6002.
It is planted into the ground and responds to the soil-moisture variations.
One main advantage of the tensiotronic 6001 is that the measuring unit does not remain
in the field and is therefore protected from:
- mechanical damages
- climate damages
- animals
- disappearances
- humidity
- dust
- chemical erosion
What is left in the field is only the tensiometer tube with
the special valve. And the price of the field tensiometer unit is particularly low.
As a result, for users needing many Tensiometers, it is often not only more practical but also more economical
to acquire the Tensiotronic 6001 rather than many single Tensiometers with Gauge or Mercury.
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T-6000 ANALOGIC CONTINUOUS ELECTRONIC TENSIOMETER
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T-6000 is connected to a computerized irrigation system
which makes the collection and storage
of information easy.
With T-6000, the user is relieved from the daily manual recordings in the field and
can even be temporarily absent.
Optional is the mobile Digital Analogic Reader unit, T-6000/R,
which allows reading of soil-moisture tensions values directly in the fields.
The Analogic Continuous Electrotensiometer comes either
with a straight tubing or with a tube at angle. In this case, it is also called
"Tensiometer at angle".
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T-2080 TENSIOMETER WITH VACUUM GAUGE
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These tensiometers (T-2080) are low-cost instruments fitting all kinds of
irrigation usages, including thoses for fields, green-houses, nurseries, public and
home gardens.
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T-2100 MERCURY TENSIOMETER
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The Mercury Tensiometer is particularly well
suited for lighter or semi-heavy soils and/or water-sensitive crops because of its extreme rapid responses
to changes in water-availabilty. The Mercury Tensiometer is also very accurate and provides
refined reading values.
The A.M.I./AIDL Mercury Tensiometers are quite resistant and are equiped with a special valve
which reduces the risk of mercury spilling both in the fields and during transportation. Because of this
valve, the A.M.I./AIDL Mercury Tensiometers can be transported in any position.
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Enlargement not available
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S-1001 SOIL-WATER SAMPLER (EXTRACTOR)
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The water content in soluble fertilizers and/or minerals in
fields cultivated for the purpose of commercial production has to be periodically assessed.
Private people may also find advantageous to have the "water" content of their fields or
garden analyzed. In both cases, the Soil-Water Sampler T-100 is the ideal device to collect
such samples.
Indeed the A.M.I./AIDL Soil Water Sampler is an efficient
and practical device that allows collection of the soil water with its dissolved components
within few hours after installation.
With the A.M.I./AIDL Soil-Water Sampler the user may rapidly
assess, in the field, pH and EC values. Portable, electronic devices can be purchased
with the A.M.I./AIDL Soil-Water Sampler in order to also obtain the pH and EC values on the spot.
S-1001 comes in different lengths, ranging from 5" to 360".
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