Optimal tensiometer placement for high-frequency subsurface drip irrigation management in heterogeneous soils

•We applied a synthetic material around subsurface irrigation drip lines.•Root growth patterns were affected by the presence of the material.•Root density around the material increased and differences between two root architectures were diminished.•We modeled irrigation scenarios based on the modified root distribution.•Optimal location for tensiometer measurement is near a subsurface dripper in the synthetic material.