Peer-Reviewed Science
Validated by 40+ Independent Scientific Publications
Researchers at universities and agricultural institutions worldwide have published peer-reviewed studies confirming FloraPulse sensor accuracy across almonds, wine grapes, prunes, cherries, apples, olives, and more.
Featured Research
Landmark Studies
2026
Can micro-tensiometers move us beyond the Scholander pressure chamber?
Meta-analysis of microtensiometer validation studies across 7 fruit crops finds strong correlation with the pressure chamber (r² up to 0.97 for almond, 0.91 apple, 0.86 nectarine). A leading plant water relations scientist concludes automated real-time water potential monitoring will be a critical tool for the future of plant hydraulics.
2021Microtensiometers accurately measure stem water potential in woody perennials
First multi-species validation study proving microtensiometer accuracy across apples, cherries, and wine grapes against the pressure chamber standard.
2024Multisite evaluation of microtensiometer and osmotic cell stem water potential sensors in almond orchards
Large-scale multi-site field trial across California almond orchards comparing microtensiometers to osmotic cell sensors for real-world irrigation management.
2025Microtensiometers for detecting and shaping the response of grapevine to increasing water stress levels
Demonstrated how microtensiometers can both detect and actively shape grapevine water stress responses for precision deficit irrigation management.
Learn About Water Potential
- Understanding tree water potential
- Understanding grape water potential
- Using tree water potential for irrigation
- Transitioning from the Scholander Pressure Chamber to FloraPulse Water Potential Sensors
- Microtensiometers: a new tool to monitor your apple trees for deciding when and how much to irrigate
- What it’s like to have real time plant stress
User Manuals
- Analog probe
- SDI12 probe
- SDI12 Uploader
- Probe installation
- 7mm probe installation
- Probe Reuse Manual
- 4G datalogger Manual
- Smartphone installation
- Getting started with FloraPulse dashboard
- Data analysis and troubleshooting guide (PDF)
- Interactive troubleshooting guide — match your data to known patterns, get step-by-step fixes, and chat with AI support
- Crop compatibility database — browse 55 crops with performance data, installation tips, and validation images
Videos
- Large sensor installation
- 7mm small probe installation for most crops (c-clamp)
- 7mm small probe installation (hammer)
- 7mm small probe installation into thick bark
- How to remove/reuse probes
- 3mm small probe installation video
- Walnut probe installation video
- Sensor testing in the laboratory
- Dashboards overview
- Dashboard for iOS
- Quick datalogger setup and diagnostics
- In-depth datalogger overview setup and instructions
Product Information
- ASHS presentation slides
- Lab Ferrer at FruitCREWS 2023
- Product description
- Scientist brochure
- Grower brochure
- Important facts when using FloraPulse
- Frequently asked questions
- How to pick a FloraPulse sensor style
Other Resources
- Programs to read probes with Campbell Scientific loggers
- Spreadsheet to process raw sensor data for datalogger SD card, SDI12 or analog probes
- Spreadsheet with all sensor manufacture coefficients
- California partial sales tax exemption for agriculture equipment – certificate
- Presentation 1: FloraPulse overview
- Presentation 2: Standard operational procedures
- Presentation 3: Troubleshooting for scientists
- Presentation 4: New developments
- Check your FloraPulse logger battery and cellular signal (input your logger number at the top)
- Spreadsheet to calculate baseline for almond, prune, grape and walnut
Research papers and posters
- A microtensiometer capable of measuring water potentials below -10 MPa. Vinay Pagay 2014
- Microtensiometers accurately measure stem water potential in woody perennials. Lee Kalcsits 2021
- A microtensiometer sensor to continuously monitor stem water potentials in woody plants – design and field testing. Alan Lakso 2022
- Evaluating a novel microtensiometer for continuous trunk water potential measurements in field-grown irrigated grapevines. Vinay Pagay 2022
- Irrigation management using sensors. Ken Shackel 2022
- Plant-based sensing for irrigation management in the field. Alan Lakso 2022
- Monitoring stem water potential with an embedded microtensiometer to inform irrigation scheduling in fruit crops. Alan Lakso 2022
- Assessment of trunk microtensiometer as a novel biosensor to continuously monitor plant water status in nectarine trees. Maria R. Conesa 2023
- Long-term validation of continuous measurements of trunk water potential and trunk diameter indicate different diurnal patterns for pear under water limitations. Blanco 2023
- Trunk water potential measured with microtensiometers for managing water stress in “Gala” apple trees. Nieto 2023
- Plant water stress derived indexes from water potential and diameter fluctuations measurements. Conesa 2023
- Using micro-tensiometers to manage water stress to maximize fruit size of apple orchards. Luis Gonzalez 2023
- Monitoring cotton water status with microtensiometers. Duke Pauli 2024
- Continuous plant-based and remote sensing for determination of fruit tree water status. Alessandro Carella 2024
- Preliminary observations on the use of microtensiometers to continuously measure water potential in a mature olive orchard. Giulia Marino 2024
- Relating microtensiometer-based trunk water potential with sap flow, canopy temperature, and trunk and fruit diameter variations for irrigated ‘Honeycrisp’ apple. Lee Kalcsits 2024
- A review of methods for data-driven irrigation in modern agricultural systems. Matthew Jenkins 2024
- Measuring the diurnal variation of root conductance in olive trees using microtensiometers and sap flow sensors. 2024
- Continuous monitoring of stem water potential in deciduous forests: assessing a novel microtensiometer for ecosystem hydraulics research
- Multisite evaluation of microtensiometer and osmotic cell stem water potential sensors in almond orchards. Isaya Kisekka 2024
- Plant biosensors analysis for monitoring nectarine water status. Maria Conesa 2024
- Effects of organic mulching and regulated deficit irrigation on crop water status, soil and yield features in an orange orchard under Mediterranean climate. Vanella 2024
- Continuous stem water potential measurements of a diffuse-porous tree species offer new insights into tree water relations. Simon Haberstroh 2024
- Testing a novel microtensiometer sensor in a citrus orchard for feedback control irrigation scheduling. Vincenzo Alagna 2024
- Das Potenzial von Stammwasserpotenzial-sensoren für die Waldforschung. Stefan Segger 2024
- A technical survey on practical applications and guidelines for IoT sensors in precision agriculture and viticulture. David Pascoal 2024
- Creation of a digital twin based on microtensiometer indices (FloraPulse), climatic variables and crop data for sustainable production in stone fruit crops. MFG Cruz 2025
- Using microdendrometers and microtensiometers for mango irrigation scheduling: a review. Ping Lu 2025
- Preliminary results on the validation of automated measurements of stem water potential with microtensiometers in coffee plants. Teresa Paco 2025
- Microtensiometer-based trunk water potential as a plant water status indicator in kiwifruit under different soil water availability. Roberto Di Biase 2025
- Apple trees’ behavior to a single-season megadrought stress. Joan Girona 2025
- Combining plant-based sensing and mechanistic modelling to quantify hydraulic resistance and capacitance for real-time irrigation in Mediterranean yellow-fleshed kiwifruit orchards. Maria Calabritto 2025
- Microtensiometers for detecting and shaping the response of grapevine to increasing water stress levels. Damiano Zanotelli 2025
- Assessing microtensiometers for monitoring stem water potential in mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) orchard under different irrigation regimes. Vincenzo Alagna 2025
- The reduced canopy area in esca-symptomatic grapevine plants leads to lower canopy transpiration and mitigates water stress. Ninon Dell’Acqua 2025
- Can micro-tensiometers move us beyond the Scholander pressure chamber? Gregory Gambetta 2026
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