Experimental Methods in Soil and Plant Hydrology

What it is about

You learn how to experimentally capture the physical and hydrological properties of soils and plants. In the end you will be able to measure and log soil key figures (e.g., texture, porosity, density, water content), water retention and hydraulic conductivity curves, as well as plant responses to drought (transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, xylem/leaf water potential) using sensors and measurement methods.

What you will be able to do

• Measuring soils physically and hydrologically in an experimental way
• Apply advanced experimental methods and devices for determining particle size distribution, retention curve, hydraulic conductivity and water flow
• Experimentally compare different soils
• Experimentally evaluate plant responses to soil drying

What the module consists of

• Praktikumcentral role: practical execution of measurements on three groups with one of the two soil types each, cultivation of plants and measurement of soil and plant water relations

Teaching method

• Gruppenlaborpraktikumto learn experimental techniques and to conduct measurement series on different soil textures
• Demonstration und Instruktionto convey the quantification of soil-physical properties and the application of sensors