Soil Water Potential

Soil water potential refers to the energy status of water in the soil, indicating how easily plants can access it. It is influenced by factors like soil moisture, gravity, and how tightly water bonds to soil particles. When soil water potential is high (less negative), water is more available to plants, whereas a low (more negative) value means water is harder for plants to extract. Understanding soil water potential helps in managing irrigation and ensuring healthy plant growth by indicating when the soil has enough or too little water.