Calculation of soil water contents from gamma ray readings

Soil Research ◽  
1964 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
CG Gurr
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

A method is given for calculating water contents of a column of soil from gamma ray data. The method is particularly useful for undisturbed field samples of unknown initial conditions. Values of water content and bulk density determined at the end of an experiment are used for calibration. To aid the calculation of large numbers of results, a nomogram has been constructed.

MITIGATION YIELD SCALED METHANE EMISSION FROM RICE GROWN IN WATER STRESS CONDITIONS WITH BIOCHAR AND SILICATE AMENDMENTS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
MUHAMMAD ASLAM ALI ◽  
SANJIT CHANDRA BARMAN ◽  
MD. ASHRAFUL ISLAM KHAN ◽  
MD. BADIUZZAMAN KHAN ◽  
HAFSA JAHAN HIYA
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Saturated Soil ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Standing Water ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

Climate change and water scarcity may badly affect existing rice production system in Bangladesh. With a view to sustain rice productivity and mitigate yield scaled CH4 emission in the changing climatic conditions, a pot experiment was conducted under different soil water contents, biochar and silicate amendments with inorganic fertilization (NPKS). In this regard, 12 treatments combinations of biochar, silicate and NPKS fertilizer along with continuous standing water (CSW), soil saturation water content and field capacity (100% and 50%) moisture levels were arranged into rice planted potted soils. Gas samples were collected from rice planted pots through Closed Chamber technique and analyzed by Gas Chromatograph. This study revealed that seasonal CH4 emissions were suppressed through integrated biochar and silicate amendments with NPKS fertilizer (50–75% of the recommended doze), while increased rice yield significantly at different soil water contents. Biochar and silicate amendments with NPKS fertilizer (50% of the recommended doze) increased rice grain yield by 10.9%, 18.1%, 13.0% and 14.2%, while decreased seasonal CH4 emissions by 22.8%, 20.9%, 23.3% and 24.3% at continuous standing water level (CSW) (T9), at saturated soil water content (T10), at 100% field capacity soil water content (T11) and at 50% field capacity soil water content (T12), respectively. Soil porosity, soil redox status, SOC and free iron oxide contents were improved with biochar and silicate amendments. Furthermore, rice root oxidation activity (ROA) was found more dominant in water stress condition compared to flooded and saturated soil water contents, which ultimately reduced seasonal CH4 emissions as well as yield scaled CH4 emission. Conclusively, soil amendments with biochar and silicate fertilizer may be a rational practice to reduce the demand for inorganic fertilization and mitigate CH4 emissions during rice cultivation under water stress drought conditions.

scholarly journals Effect of Nano-Carbon on Water Holding Capacity in a Sandy Soil of the Loess Plateau

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beibei Zhou ◽  
Xiaopeng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Sandy Soil ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Soil Mixture ◽  
Cumulative Infiltration ◽  
Nano Carbon ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

The poor water retention capacity of sandy soils commonly aggregate soil erosion and ecological environment on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Due to its strong capacity for absorption and large specific surface area, the use of nanocarbon made of coconut shell as a soil amendment that could improve water retention was investigated. Soil column experiments were conducted in which a layer of nanocarbon mixed well with the soil was formed at a depth of 20 cm below the soil surface. Four different nanocarbon contents by weight (0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1%) and five thicknesses of the nanocarbon- soil mixture layer ranging from 1 to 5 cm were considered. Cumulative infiltration and soil water content distributions were determined when water was added to soil columns. Soil Water Characteristic Curves (SWCC) were obtained using the centrifuge method. The principal results showed that the infiltration rate and cumulative infiltration increased with the increases of nanocarbon contents, to the thicknesses of the nano carbon-soil mixture layer. Soil water contents that below the soil-nano carbon layer decreased sharply. Both the Brooks-Corey and van Genuchten models could describe well the SWCC of the disturbed sandy soil with various nano carbon contents. Both the saturated water content (θs), residual water content (θr) and empirical parameter (α) increased with increasing nano carbon content, while the pore-size distribution parameter (n) decreased. The available soil water contents were efficiently increased with the increase in nanocarbon contents.

scholarly journals An empirical model for describing the influence of water content and concentration of sulfamethoxazole (antibiotic) in soil on the total net CO2 efflux

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-358
Author(s):  
Miroslav Fér ◽  
Radka Kodešová ◽  
Barbora Kalkušová ◽  
Aleš Klement ◽  
Antonín Nikodem
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Solution Treatment ◽  
Soil Microbial Activity ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Co2 Efflux ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

AbstractThe aim of the study was to describe the impact of the soil water content and sulfamethoxazole, SUL, (antibiotic) concentration in soil on the net CO2 efflux. Soil samples were taken from topsoils of a Haplic Fluvisol and Haplic Chernozem. Soil samples were packed into the steel cylinders. The net CO2 efflux was measured from these soil columns after application of fresh water or SUL solution at different soil water contents. The experiments were carried out in dark at 20°C. The trends in the net CO2 efflux varied for different treatments. While initially high values for water treatment exponentially decreased in time, values for solution treatment increased during the first 250–650 minutes and then decreased. The total net CO2 effluxes measured for 20 hours related to the soil water content followed the second order polynomial functions. The maximal values were measured for the soil water content of 0.15 cm3 cm−3 (Haplic Fluvisol with water or solution, Haplic Chernozem with solution) and 0.11 cm3 cm−3 (Haplic Chernozem with water). The ratios between values measured for solution and water at the same soil water contents exponentially increased with increasing SUL concentration in soils. This proved the increasing stimulative influence of SUL on soil microbial activity.

The Effects of Temperature and Humidity on a Field Population of Bradysia odoriphaga (Diptera: Sciaridae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 1927-1932
Author(s):  
Cai-hua Shi ◽  
Jing-rong Hu ◽  
You-jun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Beijing City ◽  
Drought Treatment ◽  
High Soil ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

Abstract The production of Chinese chives is reduced throughout China due to a root-feeding dipteran pest Bradysia odoriphaga Yang et Zhang (Diptera: Sciaridae), therefore deciphering the conditions influencing its growth and development are important in developing ecological control strategies. A study was conducted from 2014 to 2017 to determine the relationship between the abundance of B. odoriphaga and temperature (atmospheric and soil), soil water content, and atmospheric humidity in a Chinese chive field in Beijing City, China. Numbers of adults peaked in March and October to November and were lowest in July to August and December to next February; numbers of larvae were highest in December to next February and lowest in July to August. From 2014 to 2017, the numbers of adults and larvae were significantly correlated with monthly mean atmospheric temperatures and soil temperatures, but were not significantly correlated with monthly mean atmospheric relative humidity and soil water content. However, for both adults and larvae, numbers were significantly greater with high soil water contents compared with drought treatment. The results of this study suggest that the very low soil water contents, high atmospheric temperatures, and high soil temperatures were critical for regulating field populations of B. odoriphaga.

scholarly journals Altura e diâmetro de Eucalyptus citriodora e E. grandis, submetidos a diferentes teores de água em convivência com Brachiaria brizantha

FLORESTA ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
WILSON DA SILVA ◽  
ANTÔNIO ALBERTO DA SILVA ◽  
TOCIO SEDIYAMA ◽  
LUÍS HENRIQUE LOPES DE FREITAS
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Eucalyptus Citriodora ◽  
Brachiaria Brizantha ◽  
Total Height ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

Objetivou-se avaliar, em casa de vegetação, altura e diâmetro do caule de plantas de duas espécies de eucalipto, cultivadas em solo com três teores de água, junto a quatro populações de B. brizantha. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, em arranjo fatorial (2x3x4): duas espécies (E. citriodora e E. grandis), três teores de água (20, 23 e 26%) e quatro populações de B. brizantha (0, 1, 2 e 3 plantas/vaso). Manteve-se teor constante de água nos vasos, até a última avaliação do experimento. Esse controle foi feito utilizando-se microtensiômetro e pesagens diárias, com reposição da água evapotranspirada. Os maiores valores de altura total e diâmetro do caule das plantas de E. citriodora e E. grandis foram observados em solos com maior teor de água no solo (26%), em ausência B. brizantha. A presença B. brizantha reduziu a altura total e o diâmetro do caule dos eucaliptos para os três teores de água no solo. Todavia, a maior redução percentual, tanto da altura quanto do diâmetro, ocorreu quando as plantas dos eucaliptos foram submetidas a 26% de água no solo. E. citriodora foi mais sensível à convivência com B. brizantha que E. grandis. Eucalyptus citriodora and E. grandis height and diameter growing in different water and association levels with Brachiaria brizantha Abstract Height and diameter of two species of eucalypts, cultivated in substract with three water contents, jointly with four B. brizantha populations, in greenhouse conditions, were evaluated. Treatments were arranged in a factorial design, with four replications (2x3x4): two species of eucalypts (E. citriodora and E. grandis), three soil water contents (20, 23 and 26% ) and four B. brizantha populations (0, 1, 2, and 3 plants/vase). Water content was maintained constant until experiment last evaluation. This control was done using daily weightings and tensiometer, with evapotranspired water reposition. The total height and diameter and values of E. citriodora and E. grandis plants stems were observed in the soils with the highest water content (26%) in B. brizantha absence. B. brizantha presence reduced total higher and diameter of eucalypts stems for the three water contents in the soil. However, the heighest percentual reduction, both in height and diameter, occurred when eucalypts plants were subjected to 26% water in the soil. E. citriodora was more sensible to association with B. brizantha than E. grandis.

Soil water changes under fallow-crop treatments in relation to soil type, rainfall and yield of wheat

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (49) ◽  
pp. 236 ◽  
Author(s):  
JE Schultz
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Soil Water Storage ◽  
Fallow Period ◽  
One Year ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

Soil water changes under fallow (initial cultivation in spring), grassland (initial cultivation in autumn) and the succeeding wheat crops were recorded at two to three weekly intervals in three consecutive seasons in three soil types representing the range of wheat-growing soils in South Australia. Differences in water content between the two treatments developed soon after the start of fallowing due to the greater loss of water from grassland in spring. Rainfall during the fallow period contributed little to soil water storage except in one year when heavy spring rains were recorded. In some instances the water content in the fallowed soils at seeding was less than at the start of fallowing, but the fallowed soils consistently retained more water than the grassland soils. Soil water contents decreased after August of the crop year (end of tillering) and by harvest the wheat crops had commonly dried the soil to a depth of 150 cm. Fallow crops used more water and produced significantly higher wheat yields with a greater efficiency of water use in all trials.

Geostatistical Analysis of Soil Water Content in Natural and Secondary Forests of Changbai Mountain, China

2013 ◽  
Vol 316-317 ◽  
pp. 464-468
Author(s):  
Yao Lei Wang ◽  
Ping Ting Guan ◽  
Si Wei Jiang ◽  
Xiao Ke Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Geostatistical Analysis ◽  
Changbai Mountain ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

Applying a combination of classical and geostatistical analysis, we investigated the distribution properties of soil water contents in broad-leaved Korean Pine forest (A) and secondary Polar-Birch forest (B) in Changbai Mountain, Northeast China. The results showed soil water content was significantly different between plots A and B (P < 0.05). The variation coefficient (CV) for soil water content was lower in plot A than in plot B at 0-10 cm depth, while the CV was higher in plot A than in plot B at 10-20 cm depth. Geostatistical analysis revealed that the exponential models were the optimality models for the soil water content in both plots. The spatial structured variance accounted for the largest proportion of total variance in soil water content in both plots. The autocorrelation range value for the semivariogram of soil water content was 8.9 m at 0-10 cm depth and 12.6 m at 10-20 cm depth in plot A, which was more than those in plot B (8.0 m) at both depths. Maps obtained by kriging showed that soil water contents in both plots exhibited different spatial distribution patterns. It could be conclude that the differences of rain time, precipitation form, topography and forest type may contributed to the distribution of soil water content in Changbai Mountain.

scholarly journals WATER CONTENT AND BULK DENSITY CHANGES IN A SOIL PEDON MEASURED WITH DUAL ENERGY GAMMA-RAY TRANSMISSION

1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. REGINATO
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Dual Energy ◽  
Transmission Technique ◽  
Density Values ◽  
Energy Gamma ◽  
Irrigation Levels ◽  
Water Contents

Water contents and bulk densities were measured in a soil pedon with a gamma-ray transmission technique utilizing 137Cs and 241Am. By alternating the sources for each scan down the soil profile, both bulk density and water content were determined in 1-cm increments in the top 10 cm of the pedon. Bulk density decreased to a depth of 6 cm about 30 min after 4 cm of water was ponded on the soil surface. As soon as the water drained from the surface, bulk density values increased and approached pre-irrigation levels. Water content increased rapidly corresponding to the decrease in bulk density. Assuming that the bulk density remains constant during ponding, calculated water contents may be in error by as much as 0.25 gcm−3.

Long-term tillage and crop residue management in the subarctic: fluxes of methane and nitrous oxide

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verlan L. Cochran ◽  
Elena B. Sparrow ◽  
Sharon F. Schlentner ◽  
Charles W. Knight
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Crop Residue ◽  
Residue Management ◽  
Methane Uptake ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

Methane and nitrous oxide are important radiatively active gases that are influenced by agricultural practices. This study assesses long-term tillage, crop residue management, and N fertilization rates on the flux of these two gases at a high latitude site representing the northern fringe of large-scale agriculture. Cumulative methane uptake for the summer was higher from no-tillage plots than tilled plots. This was associated with lower soil water contents with tillage. Thus, the reduction in CH4 uptake was attributed to water stress on methane oxidizers. At planting, soil water contents were near field capacity, and the no-till plots had the lowest uptake which was attributed to restricted diffusion of methane to active sites. A similar pattern of methane uptake to soil water content was found with the residue management treatments. Removing the straw lowered the soil water content and for most of the season methane uptake was also lower than where the straw had been left on the plots. Nitrogen fertilizer rate had little effect on methane uptake over the summer, but high N rates lowered consumption during the time of active nitrification early in the season. This corresponded to the time of maximum efflux of nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide efflux was greatest at the high N rate where straw was retained on the plots. Key words: Methane, nitrous oxide, nitrification, denitrification, barley

scholarly journals Impacts of grass removal on wetting and actual water repellency in a sandy soil

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaas Oostindie ◽  
Louis W. Dekker ◽  
Jan G. Wesseling ◽  
Violette Geissen ◽  
Coen J. Ritsema
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Water Repellency ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Soil Profiles ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Water Contents ◽  
Soil Water Contents

Abstract Soil water content and actual water repellency were assessed for soil profiles at two sites in a bare and grasscovered plot of a sand pasture, to investigate the impact of the grass removal on both properties. The soil of the plots was sampled six times in vertical transects to a depth of 33 cm between 23 May and 7 October 2002. On each sampling date the soil water contents were measured and the persistence of actual water repellency was determined of field-moist samples. Considerably higher soil water contents were found in the bare versus the grass-covered plots. These alterations are caused by differences between evaporation and transpiration rates across the plots. Noteworthy are the often excessive differences in soil water content at depths of 10 to 30 cm between the bare and grass-covered plots. These differences are a consequence of water uptake by the roots in the grass-covered plots. The water storage in the upper 19 cm of the bare soil was at least two times greater than in the grass-covered soil during dry periods. A major part of the soil profile in the grass-covered plots exhibited extreme water repellency to a depth of 19 cm on all sampling dates, while the soil profile of the bare plots was completely wettable on eight of the twelve sampling dates. Significant differences in persistence of actual water repellency were found between the grass-covered and bare plots.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document