An alternative sensor using a capacitance measurement for determining soil moisture was developed and calibrated in the laboratory and evaluated by comparison with tensiometers in the irrigation of common bean. A completely randomized design was used with five replications and a factorial with two methods of management (alternative and tensiometer) and soil water tensions (20, 40 and 60 kPa). It was observed that regardless of the method, the bean yield was higher when subjected to stress of 39 kPa, however, irrigation management using the alternative method led to a greater number of irrigation and also the volume of water applied, with consequent reduction in water use efficiency compared to the use of tensiometers.
capacitance; common bean; soil water tension
