Glossary

Field capacity describes the soil moisture remaining after substantial gravitational drainage has slowed. It is a useful reference for irrigation planning, not a fixed moisture percentage shared by every soil. A mango root zone can hold very different amounts of plant-available water depending on texture, structure, and rooting depth. A sensor reading is most useful when interpreted for the actual soil and placement. Do not equate field capacity with continuous saturation, which leaves much less air available to roots.