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The Rhizotron — Lysimeter Research Facility at TVA, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 1
Author(s) -
Soileau J. M.,
Mays D. A.,
Khasawneh F. E.,
Kilmer V. J.
Publication year - 1974
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/agronj1974.00021962006600060038x
Subject(s) - lysimeter , environmental science , soil water , bin , agronomy , hydrology (agriculture) , soil science , geology , mathematics , geotechnical engineering , algorithm , biology
A combined root observation laboratory (rhizotron) and lysimeter was constructed at TVA's National Fertilizer Development Center in 1973. This mainly belowground‐level facility consists of two rows of nine concrete bins, separated by an access area 3.3 m wide. Each bin holds an approximately 1.0 ✕1.2 ✕ 1.9 m volume of soil, has a transparent Plexiglas panel for root growth observations and treatment activities, and a 30 ✕30 cm porous ceramic filter plate at the bottom. A special feature of the facility is its automated, vacuum‐ controlled soil profile drainage and percolate sampling system; components of this apparatus are described in detail. The rhizotron ‐ lysimeter is being used to study crop root growth and the mobility of nutrients and heavy metals in soils and percolating water, as related to applications of municipal organic wastes and chemical fertilizers.