Why monitor irrigation at a shallow soil layer and ignore deeper soil layers?

Monitoring a shallow soil layer has two main advantages: high root density

and response in real time. It is well known that there is a high density of fine

roots developing at a close proximity to the dripper. Positioning the

tensiometer at this position further enhance active root development for

monitoring, rather than relying on a sparse root system in deeper soil layers

that require measuring several locations for averaging.

The response time in a shallow position is shorter, enabling response in real

time. It takes longer for the water to reach the tensiometer in deeper soil

layers, extending the response time and making it difficult to maintain the

desired threshold tension.