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Relation Between Soil Properties and Effectiveness of Low‐cost Water‐harvesting Treatments
Author(s) -
Emmerich W. E.,
Frasier G. W.,
Fink D. H.
Publication year - 1987
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/sssaj1987.03615995005100010044x
Subject(s) - surface runoff , environmental science , soil water , regression analysis , soil science , mathematics , statistics , ecology , biology
Knowledge of the relationship between soil properties and treatment performance is important to obtain maximum benefit from low‐cost water‐harvesting treatments. Six low‐cost water‐harvesting treatments were field tested on small plots by determining runoff percentages and threshold values at eight sites for 164 weeks. Effectiveness of all treatments decreased over time, with the order of effectiveness being: waxes > silicones ≥ control (smoothed soil). Regression equations were developed to predict runoff percentages and threshold values based on soil properties. These equations can be used in determining which water‐harvesting treatment would be most appropriate for a specific soil. All soil properties evaluated influenced the effectiveness of the water‐harvesting treatments. Therefore, relationships between specific soil properties and the effectiveness of the treatments could not be established. A set of important soil properties were identified for each treatment in the regression equations, but more research is needed to determine the absolute importance of the individual soil properties in the effectiveness of the treatments.