PSY1 Psychrometer
ICT International Psychrometer / Stem Psychrometer
The ICT International Psychrometer is a unique, scientifically validated, non-destructive, stand-alone, and continuous in-situ logging device for measuring plant water potential, also known as plant water stress. Based on the research of Dixon and Tyree (1984), the PSY1 Psychrometer is a widely accepted method in ecophysiology and plant hydraulic conductance studies, enabling continuous measurement of plant water potential in megapascals (MPa) for stems or leaves.
Designed for accurate monitoring within the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum, the PSY1 provides continuous data every 10 minutes, unlike traditional pressure chamber methods such as the Scholander Pressure Chamber, which require destructive and manual spot measurements at limited times of the day. With onboard calculations and stand-alone operation, the psychrometer offers researchers a practical and reliable solution for long-term plant monitoring.
Its applications include species selection, drought response experiments, crop stress studies, hydraulic vulnerability segmentation, and overall plant water status assessment. The time-series data generated by the PSY1 can also be combined with other monitoring tools, such as the SFM1x and SFM1 Sap Flow Meter, to better understand water potential gradients that drive ecosystem water flows and regulate many plant functions. This continuous measurement capability is especially valuable in plant breeding programs aimed at identifying drought-tolerant species.
Traditional water potential measurement methods are often labor-intensive, destructive, and sporadic. The ICT International Stem and Leaf Psychrometer changes that by delivering in-situ, continuous, and high-resolution data that helps researchers unlock deeper insights into plant water potential.
This innovation was recently highlighted at the XVII Hispano-Portuguese Plant Water Relations Symposium, where applications such as hydraulic vulnerability segmentation, crop stress monitoring, and GPP model improvement were presented, supported by relevant published studies. By advancing continuous plant water potential measurement, ICT International is helping shape the future of plant monitoring and smart agriculture.
Presented by: Dr. Beng Umali
#stempsychrometer #plantwaterpotential #AgriTech #smartagriculture #SMARTAgriTech
