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Moisture Retention by Soil with Coarse Layers in the Profile
Author(s) -
Miller D. E.,
Bunger Wm. C.
Publication year - 1963
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1963.03615995002700050034x
Subject(s) - water content , loam , moisture , soil science , environmental science , field capacity , soil horizon , irrigation , soil water , geology , hydrology (agriculture) , geotechnical engineering , agronomy , materials science , biology , composite material
Abstract The effects of coarse strata on the moisture retention characteristics of soil profiles were evaluated. A sandy loam soil was underlain at various depths by sand or gravel and the moisture status of the soil was observed for 2 months following a heavy irrigation. The moisture retained by soil underlain by sand or gravel was much greater than in similar depths of a uniform soil. The moisture content of the soil above a layer increased as the layer was approached. The moisture content of the soil underlain by sand or gravel changed very little after the first few days following irrigation whereas in the uniform soil moisture moved downward throughout the observation period. The moisture retention characteristics of the profiles were roughly estimated from laboratory measurements of unsaturated conductivities of the sand and gravel and from a moisture characteristic curve of the soil.