scholarly journals Soil water dynamics in drained and undrained meadows

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Vopravil ◽  
Pavel Formánek ◽  
Jaroslava Janků ◽  
Tomáš Khel

Tile drainage belongs to one of the most important meliorative measures in the Czech Republic. It has been hypothesised that it may improve some soil properties which are influenced by the groundwater and their water regime. In the case of meadows, the used management method may also influence the soil properties. In this study, different physical soil properties (particle and bulk density, total soil porosity, maximum capillary water capacity, minimum air capacity, water retention capacity and saturated water content, volumetric water content and matric potential) at depths of 15, 35 or 40 and 60 cm in differently managed meadows (drained versus undrained) located near the village of Železná in the Czech Republic (mildly cold, humid climatic region) were investigated. The drained meadow is used mainly for grazing (extensively) and the undrained meadow is mown twice a year. In addition, the actual evapotranspiration was estimated for the 2018 vegetation season. The selected physical soil properties were significantly (P < 0.05) different between the experimental meadows, especially at depths of 0–28 versus 0–35 cm (particle and bulk density, total soil porosity, maximum capillary water capacity, water retention capacity and saturated water content) and 28–49 versus 35–45 cm (particle density, water retention capacity and saturated water content). In the case of all the studied soil depths, the volumetric water content and matric potential were significantly (P < 0.05) different between the experimental meadows in the years 2016–2019. The actual evapotranspiration was also significantly different (P < 0.05) between the meadows. The obtained differences in the measured soil properties and estimated actual evapotranspiration were probably influenced by the used tile drainage and also by the type of management of the meadow. It is necessary to obtain more research findings with respect to different types of management in the case of drained meadows and also undrained meadows to understand the role of both treatments (tile drainage, management).

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 168-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tesař ◽  
O. Syrovátka ◽  
M. Šír ◽  
Ľ. Lichner ◽  
J. Váchal ◽  
...  

The purpose of the pilot project Senot&iacute;n (1993&ndash;2000) was to prove the methods of revitalization of sub-mountain headwater area (0.38 km<sup>2</sup>) in the Novobystřick&aacute; Vysočina Highland (610&ndash;725 m a. s. l.) in the Czech Republic. This area was tile-drained and ploughed in 1985. Seven underground clay shields newly constructed in 1995 stopped the function of the tile drainage. Four balks prevented the surface and subsurface runoff. These adaptations improved water retention capacity of the whole catchment, which is demonstrated using an example of runoff formation in the revitalized area. A typical storm rain (total 15 mm, duration 5.6 h, max. intensity 4 mm/20 min) and the consequent runoff was analysed, including the role of the soil in the runoff retardation and water retention. The runoff started in two hours since the rain beginning. The retention reached 98% of the rain total. The runoff lasted for 85 h. The concave-upward shape of the falling hydrograph limb indicates that the maximum retention capacity of the studied catchment is high.


Author(s):  
Anthony S. R. Juo ◽  
Kathrin Franzluebbers

Allophanic soils are dark-colored young soils derived mainly from volcanic ash. These soils typically have a low bulk density (< 0.9 Mg/m3), a high water retention capacity (100% by weight at field capacity), and contain predominantly allophanes, imogolite, halloysite, and amorphous Al silicates in the clay fraction. These soils are found in small, restricted areas with volcanic activity. Worldwide, there are about 120 million ha of allophanic soils, which is about 1% of the Earth's ice-free land surface. In tropical regions, allophanic soils are among the most productive and intensively used agricultural soils. They occur in the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Caribbean and South Pacific islands, East Africa, Central America, and the Andean rim of South America. Allophanic soils are primarily Andisols and andic Inceptisols, Entisols, Mollisols, and Alfisols according to the Soil Taxonomy classification. Allophanic soils generally have a dark-colored surface soil, slippery or greasy consistency, a predominantly crumb and granular structure, and a low bulk density ranging from 0.3 to 0.8 Mg/m3. Although allophanic soils are apparently well-drained, they still have a very high water content many days after rain. When the soil is pressed between fingers, it gives a plastic, greasy, but non-sticky sensation of a silty or loamy texture. When dry, the soil loses its greasiness and becomes friable and powdery. The low bulk density of allophanic soils is closely related to the high soil porosity. For example, moderately weathered allophanic soils typically have a total porosity of 78%, with macro-, meso-, and micropores occupying 13%, 33%, and 32%, respectively. Water retained in the mesopores is readily available for plant uptake. Water retained in the micropores is held strongly by soil particles and is not readily available for plant use. The macropores provide soil aeration and facilitate water infiltration. The high water retention capacity is also associated with the high soil porosity. In allophanic soils formed under a humid climate, especially those containing large amounts of allophane, the moisture content at field capacity can be as high as 300%, calculated on a weight basis. Such extremely high values of water content seem misleading.


2020 ◽  
Vol 175 ◽  
pp. 09016
Author(s):  
Vitaly Terleev ◽  
Roman Ginevsky ◽  
Viktor Lazarev ◽  
Aleksandr Nikonorov ◽  
Alexander Topaj ◽  
...  

A functional description of the hydrophysical properties of the soil as a capillary-porous medium is presented. The described functions of water retention capacity and hydraulic conductivity of the soil have common parameters, which are interpreted within the framework of physical and statistical concepts. The practical significance of the proposed functions lies in the fact that the volume of labor-intensive field measurements necessary, for example, for modeling the dynamics of soil moisture, is significantly reduced. To identify the parameters of these functions, it is sufficient to use data only on the water retention capacity of the soil. The parameters identified in this way can be used to predict the ratio of the hydraulic conductivity of the soil to the moisture filtration coefficient. The presented system of the hydrophysical functions of the soil is compared with world analogues using literature data on soils of different texture.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Zhang ◽  
Jichang Han

Abstract The Mu Us sandy land in China’s Shaanxi Province faces a critical water shortage, with its aeolian sandy soil endangering the regional eco-environment. Here we investigated the effects of feldspathic sandstone on water retention in an aeolian sandy soil from the Mu Us sandy land. Feldspathic sandstone and aeolian sandy soil samples were mixed at different mass ratios of 0:1 (control), 1:5 (T1), 1:2 (T2), and 1:1 (T3). Soil-water characteristic curves were determined over low- to medium-suction (1–1000 kPa) and high-suction (1000–140 000 kPa) ranges, by centrifuge and water vapor equilibrium methods, respectively. Results showed that the addition of feldspathic sandstone modified the loose structure of the aeolian sandy soil mainly consisting of sand grains. The van Genuchten model described well the soil-water characteristic curves of all four experimental soils (R2-values > 0.97). Soil water content by treatment was ranked as T2 > T3 > T1 > control at the same low matric suction (1–5 kPa), but this shifted to T2 > T1 > T3 > control at the same medium- to high-suction (5–140 000 kPa). T2 soil had the largest saturated water content, with a relatively high water supply capacity. This soil (T2) also had the largest field capacity, total available water content, and permanent wilting coefficient, which were respectively 17.82%, 11.64%, and 23.11% higher than those of the control (P-values < 0.05). In conclusion, adding the feldspathic sandstone in an appropriate proportion (e.g., 33%) can considerably improve the water retention capacity of aeolian sandy soil in the study area.


2007 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 231-245
Author(s):  
Christian Nielsen ◽  
Oliver Bühler ◽  
Palle Kristoffersen

Soil water dynamics were studied in 100 street tree planting pits and in the soil surrounding five park trees. Volumetric soil water content and stem cross-sectional area increment were measured on both park and street trees. Different levels of irrigation were implemented on the 100 street trees. Winter assessments of soil wetness at field capacity showed that the water retention capacity was lower in street planting pits than in the park soil attributable to the rather coarse substrate used in the planting pits. High variability among street tree planting pits in regard to water retention capacity was determined and may be related to poor standardization of the substrates, but may also be affected by varying drainage conditions. The rate of water loss in the street tree planting pits was very high immediately after rainfall or irrigation and decreased exponentially during the first 10 days after water input. This was attributed to rapid drainage. The water loss rate in the park soil was on average slightly higher than in the nonirrigated control street pits but showed a more linear decrease over time. We concluded that the water loss in the park soil during summer was primarily driven by transpiration of trees (above 10 L/day [2.6 gal/day]), which complies with common Danish forest experience. The relationship between water loss and tree growth was reversed in the street tree planting pits. The street trees did consume water for growth, but growth and transpiration of the street trees were not a noticeably driving mechanism in the planting pit hydrology. The large variation in street tree increment is attributed to the variation among street planting pits in their ability to retain water. The faster the water loss rate, the slower the tree growth. Irrigation did not prevent final depletion of the soil water resource in planting pits, but irrigation elevated the water content for limited periods during the growing season and thereby enhanced tree growth. Besides the obvious possibilities for improved water balance by horizontal and vertical expansion of the rooting zone, we also suggest improving the water retention capacity of planting pit soil by adding clay nodules. Options for continuous monitoring of tree vitality and soil water content to optimize maintenance are discussed.


2020 ◽  
pp. 94-98
Author(s):  
A. A. Kochubey ◽  
R. Sh. Zaremuk

Relevance. The aim of the research was to determine the physiological characteristics of the manifestation of resistance to stress factors (drought) of new hybrid forms of domestic plum and the allocation of the most drought-resistant in the environmental conditions of southern gardening.Methods. The article presents the results of drought tolerance studies of six promising hybrid forms of home plum (17–1-55, 17–1-69, 17–2-64, 17–2-78, 17–2-81, 17–3-79), concentrated in the genetic collection of SKFNTSVV. The main indicators characterizing the varieties and hybrids of home plum were determined as drought tolerant — the water content of the leaves and the water holding capacity of the leaves under conditions of summer moisture deficiency.Results. The water content of leaf tissue of hybrid forms in the hottest period (second — third decade of July) was heterogeneous. The highest water content in tissues was observed in hybrid seedlings 17–2-64 (63.1%) and 17–2-81 (59.6%). The smallest value was observed in the hybrid 17–3-79 and amounted to 49.7%. According to the data obtained, it was concluded that the studied hybrid forms do not differ in high water content, with the exception of hybrid 17–2-64, in which the water content can be characterized as above average. It was found that the water retention capacity of most hybrid forms is average. The total water content after withering in the studied hybrids was more than 80%. The greatest decrease in the amount of water in the leaves was observed in hybrids 17–1-55 (18.9%), 17–2-64 (18.5%), 17–3-79 (18.4%); the smallest — in hybrids 17–1-69 (13.3%), 17–2-78 (13.6%), which indicates a highwater retention capacity of the last two hybrids. With a general assessment of the hybrid fund of home plum, it was found that most hybrids studied have low hydration of leaf tissue and average water retention capacity. Based on this, two drought-resistant hybrid forms were identified: 17–1-69 and 17–2-78, which, despite the low water content, are distinguished by good water-holding ability in comparison with other hybrids and, as a consequence, the conservation of leaf turgor.


2020 ◽  
Vol 202 (11) ◽  
pp. 2-13
Author(s):  
Svetlana Denisova ◽  
Antonina Reut

Abstract. Purpose. Study of the effect of anti-stress adaptogens on the water regime of some varieties of chrysanthemum in the conditions of the Bashkir Pre-Urals. Methodology and methods. The analysis of indicators of water regime is based on the method of artificial wilting (V. N. Tarenkov, L. N. Ivanova) and the method of saturation of plant samples (V. P. Moiseev, N. P. Reshetskiy). Plants were processed once, and samples were taken in three terms. Calculations were carried out by standard methods using statistical packages of the Microsoft Excel 2003 and the Agros 2.13. Results. The dynamics of indicators of the water regime during the treatment with the preparations “Gumi-20” and “Oberig” is analyzed. An assessment of the total water content, water retention capacity, daily moisture loss and water deficit of ten varieties of chrysanthemum bred by the South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of UFRC RAS (SUBGI UFRC RAS) in the period under study is given. Studies have shown that varieties of chrysanthemum in the Bashkir Ural under the same soil-climatic and agrotechnical conditions had the following indicators: total water content ‒ 69.4–86.9 %, water-holding capacity ‒ 25.6–53.8 %, daily moisture loss ‒ 17.2–61.0 %, water deficit ‒ 10.9–13.2 %. The use of anti-stress adaptogens did not have a significant effect on the parameters of the water regime, or their effect was variety-specific. As a result of the correlation-regression analysis, inverse relationships were revealed between the indicators of water deficit and the total water content, as well as between the daily water loss and water retention capacity. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the water regime of varieties of chrysanthemum of the SUBGI UFRC RAS selection was studied, the dependences of the water regime indicators were revealed, and the assessment of the expediency of using anti-stress adaptogens for certain varieties in the conditions of the Bashkir Pre-Urals was given.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-53
Author(s):  
Jana Šimečková ◽  
Jiří Jandák

Abstract Physical properties of soils are affected by many factors. These include the type of fertilizer used. An offer of fertilizers is currently extensive and new types are added, an example may be digestate, which is ranked among organic fertilizers according to Czech legislation. Changes in physical soil properties were monitored on a field trial, which were established on the place of Research grassland station Vatín (region Vysočina, the Czech Republic) in autumn 2013. The field trial comprised different variants of fertilization. Their effects were observed at different vegetation covers. In this paper, we focus on vegetation cover corn, fertilization variants: manure, mineral fertilizer (saltpetre ammonium with limestone) and digestate. The effect of fertilization was observed 3 times during the growing season 2014. It was in June, August and October. The results were obtained by the basic analysis of Kopecky rollers and it was from the depths of 0.05 m and 0.15 m (middle roller). The monitored soil properties were: bulk density, porosity, water retention capacity, maximum capillary water capacity and minimum air capacity. At all investigated physical soil properties there was a positive development during the growing season, with the exception of water retention capacity. The difference was found in the range of changes in various physical properties depending on the applied fertilizer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Sun ◽  
Chunjuan Lyu ◽  
Rutian Bi ◽  
Lu Xia ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
...  

AbstractIron tailings have few macropores which severely inhibit infiltration and transport of soil water. Polyacrylamide (PAM) can regulate soil water, but it is rarely used when remediating tailings matrix. In this research, PAM of four molecular weights of 300w, 600w, 800w, and 1000w were selected as amendments, and were each applied at five mass concentrations of 0% (CK), 0.01%, 0.04%, 0.08%, and 0.16% to observe their effects on water transport in iron tailings using column simulations in the laboratory. After adding PAM, the water retention and saturated water content of iron tailings increased significantly (P < 0.05). With increases in PAM molecular weight and mass concentration, the saturated hydraulic conductivity showed a downward trend, but the saturated hydraulic conductivity increased after a dry–wet cycle. With the increase of PAM mass concentration, adding PAM of 1000w molecular weight to iron tailing decreased infiltration capacity, but treatments of other molecular weights all initially increased then decreased infiltration capacity. The greatest improvement on infiltration capacity of iron tailings was observed with the addition of PAM of 300w molecular weight and 0.01% mass concentration. Adding PAM increased the vertical depth of the saturation zone of iron tailings (P < 0.05) with a maximum depth of 20.83 cm. The Kostiakov model more accurately simulated water infiltration of iron tailings compared with the Horton and Philip models. On the whole, when PAM of low molecular weight and concentration was added to iron tailings, PAM increased stable infiltration, saturated water content, and water retention. It also inhibited saturated hydraulic conductivity of iron tailings. Therefore, in practice, it is necessary to select the appropriate molecular weight and mass concentration of PAM according to the dominant limiting factors and remediation needs of the matrix.


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