Soil Water Solutions has several computer programs which we use regularly that would be useful for those doing similar work. All are supplied on a ‘try before you buy’ basis  Some are a bit old and require a ‘dos’ window in Windows XP. But they all work in XP

1. A program to collect data from an RS232 / USB cable connected balance (produces a text file of weights which can be imported into a spreadsheet).

2. Advanced Water Retention Curve Analysis

3. Analysis of data from soil profiles collected from replicated plot trials (designed for neutron moisture meter data or similar (MUCH better than a spreadsheet)

RS232 / USB data recorder.  Designed to replace the error prone process of writing down endless numbers collected by balances.   Produces a numbered list of weights with a header line supplied by user.  Price $30

Advanced water retention curve analysis.  This software is unique to Soil Water Solutions - developed over some 30 years working with water retention data.  Price $200

Input data for this program is a draining water retention curve - in good detail near the wet end.   It then calculates the pore size distribution, the relative hydraulic conductivity relationship (using Jackson or Millinton & Quirk methods).  It also estimates the rate that a plant root can extract water from this soil under different conditions

NOTE This program uses numerical methods - there are NO fitted curves which often cause huge errors in analytical methods.-  it interpolates  the actual measured data