Articles
Automated measurements of stem water potential with microtensiometers in coffee plants: validation during two irrigation seasons
Article number
1468_49
Pages
375 – 384
Language
English
Abstract
Stem water potential (Ψstem) was measured in coffee plants during the summers of 2024 and 2025 using microtensiometers.
These measurements were compared with those obtained with a pressure chamber to validate, for the first time, the use of microtensiometers in coffee plants.
The experimental work was conducted indoors, using Coffea arabica L. potted plants, at the University of Lisbon.
Results of midday stem water potential measured with microtensiometers (Ψstem_MT) ranged approximately from -0.5 to -1.6 MPa.
Comparison of results between midday Ψstem obtained with a pressure chamber (Ψstem_PC), and Ψstem_MT showed good agreement in both years, whether analyzed separately for each year (R2=0.80 for 2024; R2=0.90 for 2025) or across the whole data set (R2=0.95). Ψstem_MT slightly overestimated Ψstem_PC. (ca. 10%), a consistent result through the two seasons considered.
In contrast to prior studies involving different plant species, our findings reveal no significant offset between midday values of stem water potential measured by microtensiometers and pressure chambers, suggesting their suitability for accurately tracking rapid changes in plant hydrological status.
These results, obtained in indoor conditions, indicate that microtensiometers represent a promising tool for continuous, real-time monitoring of stem water potential in coffee plants.
Further research under field conditions would be the next envisaged step to continue evaluating the efficacy of these automated systems for assessing the crop water status, which is useful in the framework of irrigation scheduling, since irrigation is increasingly used to improve yield or as an adaptation measure in the face of climate change.
These measurements were compared with those obtained with a pressure chamber to validate, for the first time, the use of microtensiometers in coffee plants.
The experimental work was conducted indoors, using Coffea arabica L. potted plants, at the University of Lisbon.
Results of midday stem water potential measured with microtensiometers (Ψstem_MT) ranged approximately from -0.5 to -1.6 MPa.
Comparison of results between midday Ψstem obtained with a pressure chamber (Ψstem_PC), and Ψstem_MT showed good agreement in both years, whether analyzed separately for each year (R2=0.80 for 2024; R2=0.90 for 2025) or across the whole data set (R2=0.95). Ψstem_MT slightly overestimated Ψstem_PC. (ca. 10%), a consistent result through the two seasons considered.
In contrast to prior studies involving different plant species, our findings reveal no significant offset between midday values of stem water potential measured by microtensiometers and pressure chambers, suggesting their suitability for accurately tracking rapid changes in plant hydrological status.
These results, obtained in indoor conditions, indicate that microtensiometers represent a promising tool for continuous, real-time monitoring of stem water potential in coffee plants.
Further research under field conditions would be the next envisaged step to continue evaluating the efficacy of these automated systems for assessing the crop water status, which is useful in the framework of irrigation scheduling, since irrigation is increasingly used to improve yield or as an adaptation measure in the face of climate change.
Authors
T.A. Paço, M. do Céu Silva
Keywords
Coffea arabica, plant-based irrigation, plant water status, water stress, woody crops
Groups involved
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