A comparison of methods for determining soil water availability in two sites in Panama with similar rainfall but distinct tree communities

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Kursar ◽  
Bettina M. J. Engelbrecht ◽  
Melvin T. Tyree
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Plant Distribution ◽  
Tropical Rain Forests ◽  
Water Release ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Available Water Capacity ◽  
Gravimetric Water Content

Plant productivity, distribution and diversity in tropical rain forests correlate with water availability. Water availability is determined by rainfall and also by the available water capacity of the soil. However, while rainfall is recognized as important, linkages between plant distribution and differences among soils in available water capacity have not been demonstrated. One reason for this may be that measurements of soil moisture, such as gravimetric water content, may be overly simplistic. To investigate this, we compared two sites in Panama, Allee and Rio Paja, which have similar rainfall but different plant communities. Soil water release curves were obtained from about −0.1 MPa to −9 MPa, permitting us to calculate available water capacity. The Rio Paja site had 17% greater available water capacity (between −0.1 MPa to −3 MPa), whereas the gravimetric water content at Rio Paja was lower by 16% in rainy season and by 41% at the end of the dry season. Hence soil gravimetric water content and soil available water capacity did not correspond. The results suggest that available water capacity may better predict plant distributions. Hence, whenever possible, available water capacity should be determined in addition to gravimetric water content.

scholarly journals Mapping the Available Water Capacity in tropical climate soils for soybean (Glycine max) cultivation in the state of Tocantins-Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
André De Moura Andrade ◽  
Rui Da Silva Andrade ◽  
Erich Collicchio
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
The State ◽  
Pedotransfer Functions ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Water Retention Curve ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Available Water Capacity

Brazilian soybean has undergone considerable economic growth. Its production depends on the demand for some inputs. One of these inputs is the soil water supply, which can be made artificially or obtained by natural rainfall. Knowledge of available water capacity (AWC), which depends on total water availability (TWA), is poorly accessible and difficult to measure in the field. This study aimed to map the AWC of the state of Tocantins, based on pedotransfer functions (PTFs), to evaluate the water availability of the soils of the microregions of that state. We used the Arya and Paris model, aided by a computer program, Qualisolo, made by Embrapa Instrumentação. One hundred fifty-seven tropical soil samples were extracted from the Embrapa Solos portal. Preliminarily, the soil water retention curve (SWRC) was obtained and, subsequently, the TWA and AWC for this oilseed were estimated. Multiple linear regressions show the correlation between TWA and clay (CL), Silt (ST) and total sand (TS) contents. The correlation established was TWA = 3.2993 – 0.0028TS – 0.0034CL. This main conclusion reflects a fruitful AWC for decision-making by the soybean agribusiness and exposes the regional weaknesses for this crop under a rainfed regime in some regions of Tocantins. We could observe that, in terms of water availability, agribusiness is a potential threat to the environment protection area (APA) of the Ilha do Bananal/Cantão, Formoso River microregion.

The Available-Water Capacity of Barbados Soils

1969 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Soil Water Deficit ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Montmorillonite Clays ◽  
Available Water Capacity ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Large Soil

SummaryLarge soil monoliths, extracted undisturbed in 44-gallon oil drums, have been used to assess the available-water capacity, and the relation between the growth of sugarcane and soil water deficit for agricultural soils in Barbados. Constancy of field capacity was studied and the effect of cultivation on the storage of available soil water. Deep montmorillonite clays and oceanic soils had storage capacities greater than 20 cm. of water in an 80 cm. profile, whereas sandy or stony montmorillonite clays and most soils developed from kaolinite clays had capacities less than 11 cm. Cultivation significantly increased the water holding capacity of soils but this was rarely as great as for fabricated composts and the water was never so freely available. The data have been used in decisions about cultivation and irrigation, and as the basis for an ecological grouping of sugar estates according to their probable water balance.

Soil water availability for plants as quantified by conventional available water, least limiting water range and integral water capacity

2010 ◽  
Vol 335 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 229-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Asgarzadeh ◽  
Mohammad Reza Mosaddeghi ◽  
Ali Akbar Mahboubi ◽  
Akram Nosrati ◽  
Anthony Roger Dexter
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Soil Water Availability ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Least Limiting Water Range

In a native pasture, landscape properties influence soil moisture more than grazing management

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 1799 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Mitchell ◽  
W. B. Badgery ◽  
P. Cranney ◽  
K. Broadfoot ◽  
S. Priest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Available Water Capacity ◽  
High Production ◽  
Plant Available Water ◽  
Production Zone

It has been proposed that changes to grazing systems, from continuous to rotational grazing, alter the pasture mass and composition, which are reflected in changes to stored soil water. Additionally, in highly variable landscapes, determining whether the variation in soil water is due to the inherent landscape properties rather than the imposed grazing management has long been a contentious argument. To address this question, soil moisture was measured across a highly variable landscape under three differing grazing treatments (1-, 4- and 20-paddock systems). From the soil-water measurements, plant-available water and plant-available water capacity were determined. Different production zones (high, medium and low) were identified in the landscape by visually estimating green herbage mass in late spring. There were no observed differences in the measured plant-available water capacity across the grazing treatments; however, significant differences occurred in plant-available water capacity across the three production zones (high-production zone, 114 mm; medium-production zone, 102 mm; low-production zone, 88 mm) within the study period. There appears to be a trend between the plant-available water capacity and near-surface gravel content as measured in production zones. The high production zones held more plant-available water than did the low production zones, enabling more biomass and longer pasture growth during spring and autumn. The plant-available water in the low production zones significantly decreased with time. In all, 22 of the 50 soil-moisture monitoring locations displayed high temporal stability and were identified as being catchment-average soil water-content monitoring locations. A majority of these locations occurred in the medium production zone, demonstrating that representative soil moisture can be measured in these landscapes.

MODELLING THE INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION ON THE POTENTIAL YIELD OF TEA (CAMELLIA SINENSIS) IN NORTH-EAST INDIA

2003 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. PANDA ◽  
W. STEPHENS ◽  
R. MATTHEWS
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Water Deficits ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
North East India ◽  
Available Water ◽  
North East ◽  
Daily Weather Data ◽  
Available Water Capacity

This study reports the results of model simulations of the potential yield of tea in north-east India. The CUPPA-Tea model, developed using data from a high-altitude site close to the equator in East Africa, was validated against the yield data from irrigation experiments conducted on contrasting soil types at Siliguri and Tezpur in the tea growing region of north-east India. The close correspondence between observed and predicted yield and yield distribution suggests that the model is applicable in north-east India. The model was used to simulate the yield response of tea to drought and irrigation using daily weather data for seven years (1983–89) at Siliguri and 14 years (1974–85) at Tezpur. On a clay loam soil at Siliguri, with an available water capacity of about 200 mm m−1, the predicted mean reduction in yield was 1.5 kg ha−1 for each 1 mm reduction in evapotranspiration. However, there appeared to be no reduction in evapotranspiration until the soil water deficit reached about 240 mm. By contrast, at Tezpur on loamy sand, with an available water capacity of about 100 mm m−1, evapotranspiration was reduced once soil water deficits exceeded about 85 mm. There was then a mean reduction in yield of 2.2 kg ha−1 for each 1 mm reduction in evapotranspiration. At both sites, even when soil water deficits were not limiting, the predicted year-to-year variation in yields was about 500 kg ha−1. The results highlight the soil-related differences in response to irrigation and the benefits of using process-based simulation models to investigate the potential yields over long periods.

scholarly journals Soil health indicators for Central Washington orchards

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258991
Author(s):  
Sara Tianna DuPont ◽  
Lee Kalcsits ◽  
Clark Kogan
Keyword(s):  
Water Availability ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Available Water Capacity ◽  
Root Health

Soil health assessment can be a critical soil testing tool that includes biological and physical indicators of soil function related to crop and environmental health. Soil health indicator minimum data sets should be regional and management goal specific. The objective of this study was to initiate the steps to develop a soil assessment tool for irrigated orchard soils in Central Washington, United States including defining objectives, gathering baseline data and selecting target indicators. This study measured twenty-one biological, physical and chemical properties of soils in irrigated Central Washington apple orchards including indicators of water availability, root health, fertility, and biological activity. Soil factors were related to fruit yield and quality. Principal components and nonlinear Bayesian modeling were used to explore the relationship between soil health indicators and yield. Soil indicators measurements in Washington state orchards varied widely but generally had lower organic matter, available water capacity, wet aggregate stability and higher percent sand than in other regions. Linear mixed effects models for available water capacity and percent sand showed significant effects on yield, and models for root health ratings and Pratylenchus nematodes had moderate effects. The minimum dataset of soil health indicators for Central Washington orchards should include measurements of water availability (available water capacity, percent sand) and of root health (bean root health rating, Pratylenchus nematodes) in addition to standard fertility indicators to meet stakeholder management goals.

Long-term influence of compost on available water capacity of a fine sandy loam in a potato rotation

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
M R Carter
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Matric Potential ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Available Water Capacity ◽  
Potato Rotation

An improved soil physical structure, associated with organic amendments in crop rotations, can be viewed as an emergent property. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of applied compost on soil water retention and available water capacity, and other associative soil properties in a long-term 3-yr potato rotation established on a Charlottetown fine sandy loam (Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol) in Prince Edward Island. Soil samples (0–10 cm) were obtained from two crop phases (barley and potato) during the fourth cycle of the rotation (after four compost applications) in the 12th year of the experiment. Except for particulate N, compost had little effect on soil organic matter. In comparison to the barley phase, a combination of compost and surface tillage in the potato phase was associated with improved soil porosity parameters and increased soil water contents at −33 kPa (“field capacity” ), −100 and −300 kPa matric potential, compared with the no-compost control. These results indicate that compost stabilized the tillage induced soil aggregates and macro-porosity in the potato phase. Regression analysis showed that soil volumetric water content at both −33 and −1500 kPa matric potential was significantly related to soil C concentration, although the soil available water capacity remained unchanged. The results imply that the “non-nutrient” compost effect on potato productivity was related to soil water retention. Key words: Soil water retention, soil physical and biochemical properties, compost amendment, tillage, potato rotation, eastern Canada

scholarly journals Evaluation of soil water storage in native forest and eucalyptus areas

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 973
Author(s):  
Marcelo Dos Santos Targa ◽  
Getulio Teixeira Batista ◽  
Ana Aparecida da Silva Almeida ◽  
Emilson Pohl ◽  
Geberson Ricardo de Paula
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil Water Potential ◽  
Soil Water Storage ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Water Restriction ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Available Water ◽  
Available Water Capacity

In the region of the Paraíba do Sul river valley in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, pasture areas have been replaced by eucalyptus plantations, which can modify the dynamics of water in the soils of the region. The objective of this work was to evaluate the behavior of water in a Red-Yellow Latosol in two vegetative coverings, a six-year-old eucalyptus plantation, and a native forest, in the process of regeneration which began twenty years ago. The study was developed in the Una River basin from June 2009 to April 2011. The soil water potential was measured by 96 sensors (Watermark ™) at the depths of 20, 60 and 120 cm. The Available Water Capacity (AWC) and weekly residual soil storage for each layer were calculated. It was observed that the three layers reacted to the processes of rainfall and evapotranspiration and that there was a difference between the storage of water in the soil in the eucalyptus and native forest areas. There was no water restriction in the studied period; however, the variations in native forest storage were smoother than the variations occurring for eucalyptus. In the mean of the whole period and for the three layers, the storage in the native forest and eucalyptus were 88% and 64% of Available Water Capacity (AWC = 183 mm), respectively. These results show the native forest water conservation capacity in watersheds.

scholarly journals Soil Moisture Characteristics on Several Soil Types

2007 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-81
Author(s):  
Dwi Putro Tejo Baskoro ◽  
Suria Darma Tarigan
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Similar Tendency ◽  
Available Water Capacity ◽  
Constant Moisture Content ◽  
Different Characteristics

Soil water availability is one of the important factors injluencing plant growth. Soil that can store more water in alonger time can support a better plant growth. This study was aimed to evaluate the dynamics of soil water of four differentsoils with different characteristics. Four soils classes are clayey textured soils-Red Yellowish Podsolik Jasinga, Clayeytextured soils-Latosol Darmaga, . Sandy Textured soil-Regosol Sindang Barang, and highly organic mater content soi/sAndosolSukamantri. The result showed that at every-suction analyzed, Andosol Sukamantri had consistently highest watercontent while Regosol Sindang Barang was consistently lowest. Similar tendency wasfoundfor available water capacity. Theresult also showed that moisture content at Regosol decrease more rapidly than those of the other three soils. The time need to reach likely constant moisture content is variable with soil type; lowest at Regosol Sindangbarang (45 hours after completely saturated and drained) followed by Podsolik Jasinga (73 hours), Latosol darmaga (74 hours) and Andosol Sulcamatri (76 hours).

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