Therefore, plants can be used for the bio-indication of environmental pollution. Sensitive species can serve as indicators and resistant species as accumulators which collect large amount of pollutants without damage. Mosses, lichens and some fungi are much sensitive to SO 2 and halides. Even 1% SO 2 concentration is harmful to higher plants. Lichens do not survive in areas exposed to SO 2 for long time. Moisture: The simplest meters are a type of hygrometer with moisture sensors that gauge soil moisture levels. They often show the moisture level on a color-coded scale of 1 to 10, a decimal number, or a percentage value, where lower numbers mean drier soil and higher numbers indicate wetter soil. If you are not watering your house plant the right amount and at the right frequency, it may start to dry out which can lead to leaves dropping off. Many healthy plants will drop some older/mature leaves as a way of renewing their foliage, so you will need to look at the pattern and amount of leaf drop to determine if this is abnormal for your plant. Please note: plant heights are approximate and are provided for indicative purposes only. Plants suitable for hanging may be depicted in a hanging grow pot, the actual grow pot used to ship the plant might not include these attachments. Like the other Xlux model that took top billing in this lineup, this meter also features an easy-to-read analog dial and color-coding for determining moisture at a glance. The main difference is that this version has a slightly over 12-inch-long probe for deep insertion into the soil of our potted plants. We discovered that one of our potted perennial bushes wasn’t draining well: The soil at the surface seemed dry, but a foot down, it was sopping wet. This gave us the information we needed to transplant the bush and replace the non-draining soil at the bottom of the pot with better-draining soil.

As with all the other meters, we put the Kensizer through the complete battery of moisture tests, and it appeared to be highly accurate. We then tested the light function, but unfortunately, it failed to register any difference whether in a sunny spot or the middle of our shade garden. Feature papers are submitted upon individual invitation or recommendation by the scientific editors and must receiveThe water reservoir on the bottom clearly shows the current water level. A cotton rope suspended in the water reservoir brings water up to the soil and the plant’s roots, as needed, although the reservoir can show dirt after some time, it can be cleaned out periodically to keep that sparkling look. Emptying and refilling the water and cleaning out the reservoir can help keep your plants happy, which is always important.

For reliability and accuracy on all three fronts—moisture, pH, and light—we like the Fivota Soil Meter, which we found to be quite accurate when reading all three aspects. This Fivota meter also features two probes—one for moisture and the other for pH.Rectangle Self Watering Planter with Water Level Indicator，Herb Seeds and Potting Soil, Herb Garden Growing Kit Indoor Hydroculture plants are measured the same way as soil plants, however the grow pots are sized by diameter plus their standardised heights, which allows a water meter to be fitted. For example: an 18/19 grow pot has an 18cm diameter at the rim and is 19cm tall. Yes, a soil moisture meter provides a numerical measure, which is more sensitive than the touch-and-feel method many gardeners use. Most inexpensive analog meters provide a measure on a 1-to-10 scale, which is accurate enough for the average gardener. For an even more accurate reading, consider a digital moisture meter that provides a reading to the nearest decimal point or shows a percentage. Q. What should your soil moisture be? Putra, A.N.; Nita, I. Reliability of using high-resolution aerial photography (red, green and blue bands) for detecting available soil water in agricultural land. J. Degrad. Min. Lands Ma

We tested the Ecowitt probe on several potted plants, and it proved to be accurate, but because the probe is so short, we don’t recommend using it in the garden. Also, we would worry that rain might infiltrate the probe’s housing because the battery compartment is not sealed. This handy little gadget proved well suited to monitoring indoor growing situations, but it didn’t seem durable or long enough for outdoor conditions. Aid your green thumb with a soil moisture meter. These handheld devices are a small but useful tool for gardeners, providing a tangible measure of soil moisture levels. The following answers to some frequently asked questions may further help shoppers choose the best soil moisture meter. Q. Are soil moisture meters accurate? Physiological activities as opening of stomata and rate of photosynthesis can also be used as indicators of pollution. Photosynthesis as a parameter has been used for mixed exposure of SO 2, NO 2 and dust. Enzymatic parameters are also used to indicate the presence of particular pollutant. Peroxidase was found to be most sensitive indicator of pollutants in the absence of visible injury. Kellar (1974) and Jager (1975) have reported a differential response of enzymes in areas affected by fluoride, automobile pollution and SO 2.

pH: Some moisture meters include pH sensors to measure the pH levels of soil and give insight into whether the soil is acidic or alkaline.