Soil and Plant Hydraulic Lab

This laboratory has most of the standard instruments to characterise the hydraulic properties of about a hundred soil samples at the same time.

Soil Water Retention Curve

For the retention curve, the following equipment is available :

two sandboxes to characterise the retention curve of about 90 soil samples from pF 0 to pF 1.8 ;
six pressure plate extractors for the retention curve between pF 2 and 4.2 ;
2 water potential analyser for high pF by psychrometry (WP4C) ;
a 30 cell HyProp system (evaporation method) for 100 & 250 cm³ soil samples.

Soil Hydraulic Conductivity Curve

For the hydraulic conductivity curve :

a permeameter for the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Closed system - 10 holders) ;
8 KSAT units ;
the HyProp system.

Soil structural stability

QuantiSlake tests can be carried out:

2 soil samples of 100cm³ can be processed at the same time (Raspberry Pi + Scales).

Plant Hydraulic Conductance

HCFM-XP Gen 3 Hydraulic Conductance Flow Meter.

Remarks

In addition, the laboratory has several instruments for in situ measurements: pressure & suction infiltrometers, TDR probes, tensiometers, etc. and equipment for soil sampling (Rings of 100, 250, 1000 cm³).

It can be found at B.230 (De Serres building). For any information or request for use, please contact:

➥ Jérôme De Paron (Technical manager)