POGO Volumetric Water Content

The measurement of the volumetric water content (Volumetric Water Content %, VWC), gives information on the actual volume of space occupied by water in each sampling. In all soil-grass systems there are solid components and pore space. The solid part is usually half of the total space, but sometimes it is even larger. If the organic matter constitutes a significant fraction, the rest is pore space that can be occupied by air or water.

The most dominant influence on sports surfaces is the optimum air and water balancei.e. its balance. Even under conditions of high ECIf the system has good drainage conditions and exchanges air and water optimally, salts are much easier to manage.

If we get readings of 30.91% of humidity and the saturation percentage is at 50%, this leaves only 19.09% for exchange with air, which is manageable but not the optimal situation.

If moisture predominates in the pore space, then there is very little space left for air. Because the oxygen intake comes through diffusion of oxygen ions, this exchange is vital for correct behaviour and to obtain strong and healthy sports surfaces. This can be managed very easily with the POGO. Knowledge of the maximum moisture limits (i.e. the saturation capacity) that a soil profile can be achieved in two ways:

• Through a laboratory analysis. Generally these ranges are between 40 and 60%, depending on the type of turf/soil.
• Through infiltration tests. By measuring the saturation humidity in situ.

Make use of our POGO TURF ANALYSIS to find the capacities of each zone and optimise your management to the maximum.

Thus, we can see big differences in, for example, football pitches, where the existence of shade leads to non-uniformities that we can now manage.

Get your POGO at:

• POGO Sensor