The degree of soil water content is defined by the fraction, by mass or weight, of pore water relative to the total dry soil solid particles, usually expressed as a percentage. In practice, soil water content is measured by heating a wet soil sample at 105 – 110oC to a constant mass. The weight loss by heating is assumed to be the weight of water, and the residual weight is the weight of dry soil solids.
Syn., moisture content
Cf., water saturation, degree of;