scholarly journals Estimating the van Genuchten retention curve parameters of undisturbed soil from a single upward infiltration measurement

Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 682 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Moret-Fernández ◽  
C. Peña-Sancho ◽  
B. Latorre ◽  
Y. Pueyo ◽  
M. V. López
Keyword(s):  
Water Retention ◽  
Time Domain Reflectometry ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
Retention Curve ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Undisturbed Soil Cores

Estimation of the soil–water retention curve, θ(h), on undisturbed soil samples is of paramount importance to characterise the hydraulic behaviour of soils. Although a method of determining parameters of the water retention curve (α, a scale parameter inversely proportional to mean pore diameter and n, a measure of pore size distribution) from saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), sorptivity (S) and the β parameter, using S and β calculated from the inverse analysis of upward infiltration (UI) has been satisfactorily applied to sieved soil samples, its applicability to undisturbed soils has not been tested. The aim of the present study was to show that the method can be applied to undisturbed soil cores representing a range of textures and structures. Undisturbed soil cores were collected using stainless steel cylinders (5cm internal diameter×5cm high) from structured soils located in two different places: (1) an agricultural loam soil under conventional, reduced and no tillage systems; and (2) a loam soil under grazed and ungrazed natural shrubland. The α and n values estimated for the different soils using the UI method were compared with those calculated using time domain reflectometry (TDR) pressure cells (PC) for pressure heads of –0.5, –1.5, –3, –5, –10 and –50kPa. To compare the two methods, α values measured with UI were calculated to the drying branch of θ(h). For each treatment, three replicates of UI and PC calculations were performed. The results showed that the 5-cm high cylinders used in all experiments provided accurate estimates of S and β. Overall, the α and n values estimated with UI were larger than those measured with PC. These differences could be attributed, in part, to limitations of the PC method. On average, the n values calculated from the optimised S and β data were 5% larger than those obtained with PC. A relationship with a slope close to 1 fitted the n values estimated using both methods (nPC=0.73 nUI+0.49; R2=0.78, P<0.05). The results show that the UI method is a promising technique to estimate the hydraulic properties of undisturbed soil samples.

scholarly journals Influence of the wetting process on estimation of the water-retention curve of tilled soils

Soil Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 840 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Moret-Fernández ◽  
C. Peña-Sancho ◽  
M. V. López
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Capillary Rise ◽  
Time Domain Reflectometry ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Retention Curve ◽  
Hydraulic Behaviour ◽  
Soil Wetting ◽  
Wetting Process

Correct estimation of the soil-water retention curve (WRC) is of paramount importance to characterise the hydraulic behaviour of soils. This paper studies the influence of two different soil-wetting processes (waterlogging soil, WP; capillary rise to saturation, CRP) on the estimate of the WRC. The two procedures were applied on undisturbed loam soil samples with three degrees of soil structure: (i) consolidated soils under conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT) and no tillage (NT); (ii) freshly tilled soil under CT and RT; and (iii) CT and RT after secondary tillage plus some intense rainfalls events. WRCs were estimated with time-domain reflectometry (TDR) pressure cells and volumetric water content was measured at saturation conditions (for the WP method) and at pressure heads of 0.5, 1.5, 3, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1500 kPa. The same cores were used to determine the soil bulk density (ρb), which was subsequently used to estimate the saturated water content under CRP. The ρb value of the consolidated soil under NT was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than under CT and RT. No effect of the wetting process on the WRC of consolidated soils was observed. Only the freshly tilled soil samples under RT were significantly affected by the wetting process. In these cases, the water draining after WP collapsed the more unstable soil macropores and increased the volume of the smaller ones. However, this effect was minimised by the CRP method, which prevented the collapse of the more unstable soil pores. This work demonstrates that the soil-wetting process may have an important effect on the characterisation of the water-holding capacity on freshly tilled soils.

scholarly journals A Novel Frequency Domain Impedance Sensor with a Perforated Cylinder Coaxial Design for In-Situ Measuring Soil Matric Potential

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 2626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Chen ◽  
Xiaofei Yan ◽  
Qiang Xu ◽  
Song Yu ◽  
Yihan Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Environmental Research ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Soil Matric Potential ◽  
Matric Potential ◽  
Retention Curve

Soil matric potential is an important parameter for agricultural and environmental research and applications. In this study, we developed a novel sensor to determine fast and in-situ the soil matric potential. The probe of the soil matric potential sensor comprises a perforated coaxial stainless steel cylinder filled with a porous material (gypsum). With a pre-determined gypsum water retention curve, the probe can determine the gypsum matric potential through measuring its water content. The matric potential of soil surrounding the probe is inferred by the reading of the sensor after the soil reaches a hydraulic equilibrium with the gypsum. The sensor was calibrated by determining the gypsum water retention curve using a pressure plate method and tested in three soil samples with different textures. The results showed that the novel sensor can determine the water retention curves of the three soil samples from saturated to dry when combined with a soil water content sensor. The novel sensor can respond fast to the changes of the soil matric potential due to its small volume. Future research could explore the application for agriculture field crop irrigation.

scholarly journals Chemical and physical properties of an anthropogenic dark earth soil from Bragança, Para, Eastern Amazon

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luma Castro de SOUZA ◽  
Herdjania Veras de LIMA ◽  
Sueli RODRIGUES ◽  
Dirse Clara KERN ◽  
Álvaro Pires da SILVA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Water Retention Capacity ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
Adjacent Soil

ABSTRACT Although anthropogenic dark earth (ADE) is generally found in non-floodable land, it also occurs on floodplains but, there is no information about the chemical and physical characteristics of ADE in this environment. In this study, we propose to check the hypothesis that a Gleysol, classified as ADE, presents improved chemical and physical conditions than an adjacent soil, no anthropogenic. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the chemical and physical properties of the top layer of two ADE profiles in a Gleysol and compare them with an adjacent soil. Samples were taken from two areas classified as ADE in Bragança, Pará State, Brazil, at the "Jabuti" archaeological site, and from an adjacent non-anthropogenic site. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected at the soil depth of 0.05-0.10 m for chemical (pH, potential acidity, exchangeable cations, and soil organic carbon) and physical (soil particle size distribution, particles density, water retention curve, total porosity, microporosity, macroporosity, and bulk density) analysis. The two areas of ADE in a Gleysol, showed improved soil chemical properties compared to the adjacent soil, particularly in relation to phosphorus and calcium levels that contributed to higher cation exchange capacity which, in turn, was positively related to organic carbon content. Changes in soil physical properties were less noticeable but both areas of ADE presented higher water retention capacity, particularly at low tension. The improved conditions of the ADE soil under Gleysols shows that these areas are adequate for soil cultivation, especially with plants adapted to floodplain.

scholarly journals ESTUDO COMPARATIVO DE MÉTODOS PARA A DETERMINAÇÃO DA CURVA DE RETENÇÃO DE ÁGUA NO SOLO

Irriga ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Dos Santos Nascimento ◽  
Luis Henrique Bassoi ◽  
Vital Pedro da Silva Paz ◽  
Carlos Manoel Pedro Vaz ◽  
João De Mendonça Naime ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Water Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Water Retention ◽  
Retention Curve ◽  
Disturbed Soil

A curva de retenção de água no solo pode ser estimada por diversos métodos, e alguns deles demandam maior tempo para a sua determinação. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi a comparação da curva de retenção de água no solo, determinada pelos métodos de Arya & Paris, câmara de Richards e centrífuga, em um Neossolo Quartzarênico em Petrolina - PE. Nas camadas de 0,00-0,20, 0,20-0,40 e 0,40-0,60 m de profundidade, foram coletadas amostras deformadas em 3 pontos de uma área cultivada com videiras irrigadas, as quais foram homogeneizadas por camada, formando assim uma amostra composta para cada camada; em seguida, tais amostras foram subdividas em três subamostras e cada uma foi encaminhada para a determinação da curva de retenção de água no solo pelos métodos testados. Os resultados obtidos pelo método de Arya & Paris não apresentaram correspondência com os obtidos pelos métodos da centrífuga e da câmara de Richards. No entanto, o desenvolvimento de calibrações específicas do método de Arya & Paris para os solos irrigados do Submédio São Francisco é recomendada, tanto pela possibilidade de uso da curva de retenção de água no solo para o manejo de irrigação, como pelo potencial do método quanto à determinação rápida.   UNITERMOS: retenção de água do solo, analisador granulométrico, método.     NASCIMENTO, P. dos S.; BASSOI, L. H.; PAZ, V. P. da S.; VAZ, C. M. P.; NAIME, J. de M.; MANIERI, J. M. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DETERMINING METHODS OF SOIL WATER RETENTION CURVE     2 ABSTRACT   Soil water retention curve can be estimated by different methods, and some of them are time consuming. Hence, this research aimed to determine and compare the soil water retention curve, obtained by the methods proposed by Arya & Paris, Richards (pressure membrane apparatus) and centrifuge, of a Typic Quartzipisamment from Petrolina, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. To determine the soil water retention curve in the layers of 0.00-0.20; 0.20-0.40 and 0.40-0.60 m depths, disturbed soil samples were collected in three points of an irrigated vineyard area. The disturbed soil samples were homogenized by layer, thus forming a composed sample for each soil layer. These samples were subdivided into three sub samples, and each one was used to determination of soil water retention curve by the methods tested. The results from method proposed by Arya & Paris did not present similarity with those obtained by Richards´chamber and centrifuge methods. Nevertheless, the development of specific calibration to irrigated soils from Lower-middle São Francisco region is recommended due to the application of soil water retention curve to irrigation scheduling as well as the quickness of the method.   KEYWORDS: soil water retention, granulometry analyzer, method.  

A method to prevent edge-flow in undisturbed soil cores and lysimeters

Soil Research ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 879 ◽  
Author(s):  
KC Cameron ◽  
DF Harrison ◽  
NP Smith ◽  
CDA Mclay
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Soil Cores ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
Annular Gap ◽  
Solute Movement ◽  
Soil Monolith ◽  
Undisturbed Soil Cores ◽  
Edge Flow ◽  
Solute Leaching

This study shows that edge-flow of water and solutes between soil samples and lysimeter or permeameter casings can result in significant errors in the measurement of hydraulic conductivity and leaching rates. A new lysimeter design and technique are described which prevent edge-flow from occurring. Liquefied petrolatum is injected into an annular gap between the soil and the lysimeter casing producing a watertight seal. Water and solute movement in the sealed lysimeter is therefore confined within the soil monolith and no edge-flow occurs. Hydraulic conductivity and solute leaching rates are significantly lower in sealed lysimeters compared with unsealed ones.

Testing an infiltrometer methodology to investigate water impact effects on both soil sealing and hydraulic properties of a loam soil under conventional tillage and no-tillage

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirko Castellini ◽  
Simone Di Prima ◽  
Anna Maria Stellacci ◽  
Massimo Iovino ◽  
Vincenzo Bagarello
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Retention Curve ◽  
Soil Sealing ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Soil Hydraulic

&lt;p&gt;Testing new experimental procedures to assess the effects of the drops impact on the soil sealing formation is a main topic in soil hydrology.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this field investigation, the methodological approach proposed first by Bagarello et al. (2014) was extended to account for a greater soil infiltration surface (i.e., about 3.5 times higher), a higher range and number of heights of water pouring and to evaluate the different impact on soil management. For this purpose, the effects of three water pouring heights (low, L=3 cm; medium, M=100 cm; high, H=200 cm) on both no-tilled (NT) and conventionally tilled (CT) loam soil were investigated by Beerkan infiltration runs and using the BEST-procedure of data analysis to estimate the soil hydraulic properties.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Final infiltration rate decreased when perturbing runs (i.e., M and H) were carried out as compared with the non-perturbing (L) ones (by a factor of 1.5-3.1 under NT and 3.4-4.4 under CT). Similarly, the water retention scale parameter, h&lt;sub&gt;g&lt;/sub&gt;, increased (i.e., higher in absolute terms) by a factor 1.6-1.8 under NT and by a factor 1.7 under CT. Saturated hydraulic conductivity, K&lt;sub&gt;s&lt;/sub&gt;, changed significantly as a function of the increase of water pouring height; regardless of the soil management, perturbing runs caused a reduction in soil permeability by a factor 5 or 6. Effects on hydraulic functions (i.e., soil water retention curve and hydraulic conductivity function), obtained with the BEST-Steady algorithm, were also highlighted. For instance, differences in water retention curve at fixed soil pressure head values (i.e., field capacity, FC, and permanent wilting point, PWP) due to perturbing and non-perturbing runs, were estimated as higher under NT (3.8%) than CT (3.4%) for FC, and equal to 2.1% or 1.6% for PWP.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Main results of this investigation confirm that a recently tilled loamy soil, without vegetation cover, can be less resilient as compared to a no-tilled one, and that tested water pouring heights methodology looks promising to mimic effects of high energy rainfall events and to quantify the soil sealing effects under alternative management of the soil.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Acknowledgments&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The work was supported by the project &amp;#8220;STRATEGA, Sperimentazione e TRAsferimento di TEcniche innovative di aGricoltura conservativA&amp;#8221;, funded by Regione Puglia&amp;#8211;Dipartimento Agricoltura, Sviluppo Rurale ed Ambientale, CUP: B36J14001230007.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;References&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bagarello, V., Castellini, M., Di Prima, S., Iovino, M. 2014. Soil hydraulic properties determined by infiltration experiments and different heights of water pouring. Geoderma, 213, 492&amp;#8211;501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2013.08.032&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals The Level of Luvisols Biochemical Activity in Midfield Shelterbelt and Winter Triticale (xTriticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus) Cultivation

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1644
Author(s):  
Renata Jaskulska
Keyword(s):  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Soil Sampling ◽  
Water Retention Curve ◽  
Biochemical Activity ◽  
Retention Curve ◽  
Winter Triticale ◽  
Pal Activity

This study aimed to evaluate the usage of Luvisols under the midfield shelterbelt and in the cultivation of winter triticale, together with the influence of physicochemical properties on enzymatic activity. Soil samples were collected in spring, summer, and autumn from the depth of 0–15 cm along the following measurement transect: midfield shelterbelt (S), the border between the shelterbelt and the triticale field (B), cultivated field at a distance of 50 m from point B (F50), and cultivated field at a distance of 100 m from point B (F100). The activities of dehydrogenase (DHA), acid phosphatase (PAC), and alkaline phosphatase (PAL) were determined, and a water retention curve (pF) was established. The pH, soil organic carbon (SOC) content, and total nitrogen (Ntotal) were also measured. The analysis of the activity results for DHA, PAC, and PAL showed that the triticale soil had a higher level of enzyme activity than the midfield shelterbelt soil during the entire growing season. The soil under the triticale cultivation was slightly acidic, and the shelterbelt soil was very acidic. It was observed that the timing of soil sampling had an impact on the activity of the studied enzymes. The highest levels of DHA, PAC, and PAL activity were found in summer. The midfield shelterbelt demonstrated greater water retention than the winter triticale. The SOC content and Ntotal were higher in the shelterbelt than in the winter triticale field.

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