Note on the three-parameter functions for soil water diffusivity - Water content relationships

Soil Research ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Murali ◽  
Murti GSR Krishna ◽  
AK Sinha
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Diffusivity

Two three-parameter functions to describe soil water diffusivity (D)-moisture content (�) relationships were statistically tested with experimental data of 20 soils of India. The results showed that the shapes of the experimental D(�) relations could be accurately described by the three-parameter functions tested. The two functions used are D(�) = a. � m/( �c �)n log D = ao + a1 � + a2/(�c- �), where a, ao, a1, m and n are constants and �c is moisture content close to saturation.

Root effects on soil water and hydraulic properties

Biologia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Horst Gerke ◽  
Rolf Kuchenbuch
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Soil Hydraulic ◽  
Root Effects

AbstractPlants can affect soil moisture and the soil hydraulic properties both directly by root water uptake and indirectly by modifying the soil structure. Furthermore, water in plant roots is mostly neglected when studying soil hydraulic properties. In this contribution, we analyze effects of the moisture content inside roots as compared to bulk soil moisture contents and speculate on implications of non-capillary-bound root water for determination of soil moisture and calibration of soil hydraulic properties.In a field crop of maize (Zea mays) of 75 cm row spacing, we sampled the total soil volumes of 0.7 m × 0.4 m and 0.3 m deep plots at the time of tasseling. For each of the 84 soil cubes of 10 cm edge length, root mass and length as well as moisture content and soil bulk density were determined. Roots were separated in 3 size classes for which a mean root porosity of 0.82 was obtained from the relation between root dry mass density and root bulk density using pycnometers. The spatially distributed fractions of root water contents were compared with those of the water in capillary pores of the soil matrix.Water inside roots was mostly below 2–5% of total soil water content; however, locally near the plant rows it was up to 20%. The results suggest that soil moisture in roots should be separately considered. Upon drying, the relation between the soil and root water may change towards water remaining in roots. Relations depend especially on soil water retention properties, growth stages, and root distributions. Gravimetric soil water content measurement could be misleading and TDR probes providing an integrated signal are difficult to interpret. Root effects should be more intensively studied for improved field soil water balance calculations.

A Soil Water Characteristic Curve Model Considering Urea Concentration

2013 ◽  
Vol 798-799 ◽  
pp. 157-160
Author(s):  
You Le Wang ◽  
Dong Fang Tian ◽  
Gai Qing Dai ◽  
Yao Ruan ◽  
Lang Tian
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Exponential Function ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Urea Concentration ◽  
Exponential Functions ◽  
Valuable Data ◽  
Soil Water Characteristic Curve ◽  
Curve Model

A new soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) model considering urea concentration is presented in the paper. Two assumptions are used to obtain the model. One is SWCC which could be described by exponential functions in the experiments. Another is relationship between the parameters of exponential functions and urea concentration which is linear based on experimental data. In the research, we have carried out some experiments of SWCC and obtained some valuable data which could affect urea concentration. By using linear fitting, an exponential function between water content and suction and urea concentration is established.

scholarly journals Hasil, Kualitas Fisik Polong dan Biji Beberapa Genotipe Kacang Tanah menurut Ragam Lengas Tanah pada Fase Generatif

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agustina Asri Rahmianna ◽  
Dan Joko Purnomo
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Relative Water Content ◽  
Pod Yield ◽  
Relative Water ◽  
Leaf Relative Water Content ◽  
Generative Stage

Drought stress during generative stage affected pod yield, yield components, seed and pod qualities of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The reseach was carried out to assess the effect of drought stress at various soil water availabilities during generative stage on pod yield, pod and seed physical qualities. The experiment was conducted at Muneng Experimental Farm, Probolinggo District during July-October 2012. Five genotypes were arranged in a RCB design, with 3 replicates. The replications were nested into four treatments of soil water availability (0-100, 0-85, 0-70,0-55 days after sowing/DAS). The pods were harvested at 102 days after sowing. The result showed that the shorter the water availability, the lower the leaf relative water content, pod and seed water contents, number of mature pods, seed size, and intact seeds weight. Pod yield reduced when water was available upto 55 DAS only. Turangga variety had the highest pod yield (1.626 ton ha-1) with low pod and seed physical qualities. GH-51 yielded in 1.076 ton ha-1 with superior pod and seed physical qualities. Despite of its lowest pod yield (0.964 ton ha-1), J-11 produced the same pod and seed physical qualities as GH 51 did. ICGV 86590 was superior on its pod yield (1.338 ton ha-1) with low pod and seed physical qualities. Kancil variety did not perform any superiority.<br /><br />Keywords: intact seeds, leaf relative water content, pod moisture content, seed moisture content

Physiological and biochemical responses of Festuca sinensis seedlings to temperature and soil moisture stress

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 1007
Author(s):  
Jian-Jun Wang ◽  
Wei-Hu Lin ◽  
Yan-Ting Zhao ◽  
Cheng Meng ◽  
An-Wei Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Soluble Sugar ◽  
Free Proline ◽  
Relative Water ◽  
Physiological And Biochemical

The interaction effects between temperature and soil moisture on Festuca sinensis Keng ex E.B.Alexeev were analysed to determine how F. sinensis responds to these environmental conditions. A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse under simulated growth conditions with four soil moisture contents (80, 65, 50 and 35% relative saturation moisture content) and three temperature conditions (15, 20 and 25°C). Physiological (relative water content and root activity) and biochemical parameters (chlorophyll, peroxidase (POD), malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble protein, soluble sugar and free proline) were evaluated at the seedling stage. Results showed that with a decrease in soil water content, the POD activities, MDA content, soluble protein content, soluble sugar content and free proline content of plants under the 15°C and 20°C treatments initially decreased and then increased, whereas they increased with a decrease of soil water content at 25°C. The relative water contents of plants under the three temperature treatments decreased with a decreasing soil moisture content, but then increased temperature significantly reduced the relative water content of the seedlings under low soil water content. The chlorophyll contents of plants under the 25°C treatment decreased with a decrease of soil moisture content, but those of plants under the 15°C and 20°C treatments initially increased and then decreased. The root activities of plants under the 15°C and 20°C treatments increased with a decreasing soil moisture content; however, those of plants under the 25°C treatment initially increased and then decreased. Thus, results indicated that changes of temperature and soil moisture content had significant and complicated effects on the physiological-biochemical characteristics of F. sinensis; the conditions of 20°C and 65% RSMC had positive effects on F. sinensis seedling growth and the appropriate drought stress could promote the growth of seedling roots under the three different temperature conditions. In conclusion, F. sinensis seedlings could adapt to certain changes in the ecological environment by regulating their physiological and biochemical reactions.

Modelling water uptake by a mature apple tree

Soil Research ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Green ◽  
I. Vogeler ◽  
B. E. Clothier ◽  
T. M. Mills ◽  
C. van den Dijssel
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
Apple Tree ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Time Domain Reflectometry ◽  
Richards Equation ◽  
Mature Apple

We report the results from a field experiment in which we examined the spatial and temporal patterns of water uptake by a mature apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh., 'Splendour') in an orchard. Time domain reflectometry was used to measure changes in the soil's volumetric water content, and heat-pulse was used to monitor locally the rates of sap flow in the trunk and roots of the tree. The tree's distribution of root-length density and supporting data to characterise the soil's hydraulic properties were determined for the purpose of modelling soil water movement in the root-zone under an apple tree. Experimental data are compared against the output from a numerical model of the soil water balance that uses Richards' equation for water flow, and uses a distributed macroscopic sink term for root uptake. In general, there was a very good agreement between the measured and modelled results. The apple trees consumed some 70 L of water per day during the middle of summer. The daily water use declined to about 20 L per day with the onset of autumn, coinciding with a reduced evaporative demand and an increasing number of rain days. Water movement in the root-zone soil was dominated by the water uptake via surface roots. Large changes in soil water content were also associated with each irrigation event. Our experimental data support the contention that more frequent irrigation in smaller doses will result in less water percolating through the root-zone. Such an irrigation strategy should make more efficient use of water by minimising the leaching losses. It will also be helpful for environmental protection by reducing the percolation losses of water and solute beyond the grasp of the roots.

Analytical Determination of Soil Thermal Conductivity and Diffusivity

1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Ingersoll
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Soil Porosity ◽  
Analytical Determination ◽  
Seasonal Temperature ◽  
Soil Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Dry Soil

A simple model has been developed that can be used to calculate the soil thermal conductivity and diffusivity on the basis of the following factors: soil porosity; soil water content; conductivity, specific heat, and density of the constituents of soil, i.e., solid matter, water, and air. The model assumes that the void space in soil can be presented by a combination of plane fissures, whose direction is either parallel to the heat flow or perpendicular to it. A coefficient introduced to account for this combination in the two directions can be estimated from measured data as a function of the soil water content. Moreover, it is assumed that air and moisture conduct heat across the fissures in parallel. It is found that soil conductivity and diffusivity increase relatively rapidly with a few percent addition of moisture to entirely dry soil. For instance, assuming a typical soil porosity of 40 percent we conclude that the ratio of soil diffusivities of saturated to dry soil is about four, while that of soild with 2.5 percent moisture content to dry soil is a little over two. That is to say, a small moisture addition to dry soil brings the diffusivity half way to its saturation value. Since soil always contains small amounts of moisture, this finding explains the fact that measured seasonal temperature damping factors in extreme humid and extreme arid climates differ by less than a factor of two even though the moisture content of the respective soils may differ by more than an order of magnitude.

scholarly journals Preliminary analysis of distributed in situ soil moisture measurements

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 81-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Brocca ◽  
M. Galli ◽  
M. Stelluti
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Hyperspectral Data ◽  
Moisture Distribution

Abstract. Surface soil moisture content is highly variable in both space and time. Remote sensing can provide an effective methodology for mapping surface moisture content over large areas but ground based measurements are required to test its reliability and to calibrate retrieval algorithms. Recently, we had the opportunity to design and perform an experiment aimed at jointly acquiring measurements of surface soil water content at various locations and remotely sensed hyperspectral data. The area selected for the experiment is located in central Umbria and it extends for 90km2. For the area, detailed lithological and multi-temporal landslide inventory maps were available. We identified eight plots where measurements of soil water content were made using a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR). The plots range in size from 100m2 to 600m2, and cover a variety of topographic and morphological settings. The TDR measurements were conducted during four days, on 5 April, 15 April, 2 May and 3 May 2004. On 3 May the NERC airborne CASI 2 acquired the hyperspectral data. Preliminary analysis concerning the matching between the landslides and the soil moisture were reported. Statistical and geostatistical analysis investigating the spatial-temporal soil moisture distribution were performed. These results will be compared with the data of surface temperature obtained from the remotely sensed hyperspectral sensor.

scholarly journals Rapid internal drainage rates in Ferrosols

Soil Research ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 443 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Bell ◽  
B. J. Bridge ◽  
G. R. Harch ◽  
D. N. Orange
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Internal Drainage ◽  
Deep Drainage ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Artificial Rainfall ◽  
Upper Limit

Adoption of conservation tillage practices on Red Ferrosol soils in the inland Burnett area of south-east Queensland has been shown to reduce runoff and subsequent soil erosion. However, improved infiltration resulting from these measures has not improved crop performance and there are suggestions of increased loss of soil water via deep drainage. This paper reports data monitoring soil water under real and artificial rainfall events in commercial fields and long-term tillage experiments, and uses the data to explore the rate and mechanisms of deep drainage in this soil type. Soils were characterised by large drainable porosities (≥0.10 m3/m3) in all parts of the profile to depths of 1.50 m, with drainable porosity similar to available water content (AWC) at 0.25 and 0.75 m, but >60% higher than AWC at 1.50 m. Hydraulic conductivity immediately below the tilled layer in both continuously cropped soils and those after a ley pasture phase was shown to decline with increasing soil moisture content, although the rate of decline was much greater in continuously cropped soil. At moisture contents approaching the drained upper limit (pore water pressure = –100 cm H2O), estimates of saturated hydraulic conductivity after a ley pasture were 3–5 times greater than in continuously cropped soil, suggesting much greater rates of deep drainage in the former when soils are moist. Hydraulic tensiometers and fringe capacitance sensors monitored during real and artificial rainfall events showed evidence of soils approaching saturation in the surface layers (top 0.30–0.40 m), but there was no evidence of soil moistures exceeding the drained upper limit (i.e. pore water pressures ≤ –100 cm H2O) in deeper layers. Recovery of applied soil water within the top 1.00–1.20 m of the profile during or immediately after rainfall events declined as the starting profile moisture content increased. These effects were consistent with very rapid rates of internal drainage. Sensors deeper in the profile were unable to detect this drainage due to either non-uniformity of conducting macropores (ie. bypass flow) or unsaturated conductivities in deeper layers that far exceed the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the infiltration throttle at the bottom of the cultivated layer. Large increases in unsaturated hydraulic conductivities are likely with only small increases in water content above the drained upper limit. Further studies with drainage lysimeters and large banks of hydraulic tensiometers are planned to quantify drainage risk in these soil types.

scholarly journals Study on Runoff and Infiltration for Expansive Soil Slopes in Simulated Rainfall

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
Wenkai Lei ◽  
Hongyuan Dong ◽  
Pan Chen ◽  
Haibo Lv ◽  
Liyun Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Expansive Soil ◽  
Slope Gradient ◽  
Initial Soil Moisture ◽  
Initial Soil

In order to understand the hydrological process of expansive soil slopes, simulated rainfall experiments were conducted to study the effects of slope gradient and initial soil moisture content on runoff and infiltration for expansive soil slopes located in south China. The field program consisted of four neighboring slopes (70%, 47%, 32%, and 21%) instrumented by a runoff collection system and moisture content sensors (EC-5). Results from the monitored tests indicate that there was delay in the response of surface runoff. The runoff initiation time decreased with initial soil water content and increasing slope gradient. After the generation of runoff, the cumulative runoff per unit area and the runoff rate increased linearly and logarithmically with time, respectively. The greater the initial soil moisture content was, the smaller the influence of slope gradient on runoff. A rainfall may contribute from 39% to about 100% of its total rainfall as infiltration, indicating that infiltration remained an important component of the rainwater falling on the slope, despite the high initial soil water content. The larger the initial sealing degree of slope surface was the smaller the cumulative infiltration per unit area of the slope. However, the soil moisture reaction was more obvious. The influence of inclination is no longer discernible at high initial moisture levels. The greater the initial soil moisture content and the smaller the slope gradient, the weaker was the change of soil water content caused by simulated rainfall. The influence of initial soil moisture content and slope gradient on the processes of flow and changes of soil water content identified in this study may be helpful in the surface water control for expansive soil slopes.

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