Oklahoma State University

Alternative Terms for Describing Soil Water Potential

Alternative Terms for Describing Soil Water Potential

Total soil-water potential Total head Sum of gravitational potential and matric potential
Gravitational potential Gravitational head Positive if elevation of point of interest is above reference level.
Matric potential Pressure head or Tension Positive if soil is saturated; negative if soil is not saturated.
Matric potential Suction Suction is the negative of the matric potential. It is sometimes used to eliminate the need for negative numbers in unsaturated soils.
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