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Soil Moisture Availability in Irrigated and Nonirrigated Pastures 1
Author(s) -
McKibben George E.,
Gard L. E.,
Van Doren C. A.,
Fuelleman R. F.
Publication year - 1950
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1950.00021962004200110008x
Subject(s) - george (robot) , agricultural experiment station , soil conservation , agriculture , environmental science , forestry , geography , archaeology , art , art history
3 L, rP, K, N 4 L, rP ASTURE production is often limited by the P amount of available soil moisture. The soil acts as a storehouse for this moisture. Water is drawn out of the soil by crops as needed. It is impossible to store in a given soil sufficient moisture to meet requirements during any given growing season’. If natural rainfall is above normal and well distributed, maximum yields may be secured. Such ideal seasons seldom occur. The extent to which summer rainfall penetrates the soil and is stored for crop use has not been adequately studied. Moisture penetration and storage of available moisture vary in different soils. Location and season determine the distribution and total quantity of rainfall. Little information is available on the effect of moisture deficiencies on forage production. Furthermore no measurement has been definitely established as being the proper one to use in determining whether or not a plant is being adversely affected by lack of soil moisture. This paper gives the results of four seasons’ work to determine the availability of soil moisture for forage crop production. In addition a preliminary report of moisture availability and forage yields is presented for one season on nonirrigated and irrigated pastures. All measurements were made on the Dixon Springs Experiment Station, Pope county, Ill.