Certified Crop Advisor Practice Exam

What tool is commonly used to assess soil moisture levels?

1. Soil probe

2. Hydrometer

3. Refractometer

4. Soil thermometer

The correct answer is: Soil probe

A soil probe is commonly used to assess soil moisture levels because it allows for the direct extraction of soil samples from various depths, enabling a clear evaluation of the moisture content within the soil. By inserting the probe into the ground and removing a core sample, a person can visually inspect the soil texture and moisture. This method provides a practical and immediate way to determine the water content of the soil, which is essential for making informed decisions about irrigation, planting, and other agricultural practices. The other tools listed serve different purposes. A hydrometer measures the specific gravity of liquids and is typically used for determining soil particle size and texture, not moisture levels. A refractometer measures the concentration of solutes in a liquid, which could be used for assessing plant juice or other solutions, but not soil moisture directly. A soil thermometer helps in measuring soil temperature, which is important for plant growth but does not provide information about moisture content.