Métodos não convencionais para a determinação da umidade do solo

• Palavras-chave: método do acetileno; método do álcool; método da frigideira; método do micro-ondas.

• Keywords: acetylene method; alcohol method; frying pan method; microwave oven method.

• Abstract: The determination of soil moisture is one of the most important practices for the efficient management of irrigation. The amount of water present in the soil directly influences infiltration, retention, drainage, water availability to plants, and even physical–structural parameters that regulate root growth. Historically, the standard oven-dry method has been used as a reference, although it presents important limitations related to the long drying time, the need for specific laboratory infrastructure, and the impracticality of field use. As an alternative, a series of non-conventional methods has emerged, offering speed, practicality, and the possibility of immediate application in agricultural environments with limited resources and infrastructure. Among these methods are the microwave oven method, the alcohol method, the pan method, and the acetylene method, each based on physical or chemical principles that allow the indirect determination of water content.