The moisture characteristics of some Rothamsted, Woburn and Saxmundham soils

Abstract

SUMMARYDeterminations were made of the available-water capacities and moisture release characteristics of six soils of different texture from Rothamsted, Woburn and Saxmundham. The amount of available water retained in the surface foot of soil ranged from 1·59 in in a sandy loam to 2·75 in in a silt loam under permanent grass. With one exception soils which had received additions of farmyard manure had significantly higher available-water capacities than unmanured soils.

Hydrological Properties of a Clay Loam Soil after Long‐Term Cattle Manure Application

“…Sommerfeldt and Chang (1987) reported a significant decrease in PAW for the 0‐ to 15‐cm depth under dryland and irrigation after 12 yr of manure application. In comparison, other researchers have generally reported an increase in PAW with manure addition (Salter and Williams, 1969; Mbagwu, 1989; Rose, 1991). If manure increases water retention at both field capacity and wilting point, PAW is not greatly affected (Haynes and Naidu, 1998).…”

“…Manure significantly increased SWR relative to the control by 5 to 17% under dryland (10–15 cm), and by 16 to 37% (0–5 cm) and 12 to 48% (10–15 cm) under irrigation. In comparison, other researchers have generally reported a positive response of soil water retention to manure rate across a wide range of water potentials (Salter and Williams, 1969; Schj⊘nning et al, 1994; Olesen et al, 1997). Our finding of improvements in soil water retention across a wide range of water potentials is consistent with the observation of Hillel (1982) He stated that water retention at higher potentials (−100 to 0 kPa) depends primarily upon the capillary effect and the pore‐size distribution, and is strongly affected by soil structure, while water retention at lower potentials (−1500 to −100 kPa) is due mainly to adsorption and is more affected by texture and specific surface area of the soil material (Hillel, 1982).…”

“…Water content or potential is the key variable of the soil physical parameters directly related to crop productivity (Letey, 1985). Most studies have reported an increase in soil water retention (Hafez, 1974; Unger and Stewart, 1974; Salter and Williams, 1969; Mbagu, 1989; Rose, 1991; Schj⊘nning et al, 1994; Benbi et al, 1998) or plant‐available water (Salter and Williams, 1969; Rose, 1991; Mbagwu, 1989) under beef cattle manure or farmyard manure application, but variable responses have been reported for the latter parameter (Sommerfeldt and Chang, 1987). Few studies have measured seasonal changes in field soil water content under beef cattle manure.…”

Enhancing crop yields in the developing countries through restoration of the soil organic carbon pool in agricultural lands

“…There exists a strong relationship between the SOC pool and the plant available water capacity (AWC) and the ability of soils to withstand drought (Hudson, 1994;Emerson, 1995;Gupta and Larson, 1979;Hollis et al, 1977;Salter and Williams, 1969;Salter and Haworth, 1961). In general, the soil available moisture content increases by 1 to 10 g for every 1 g increase in soil organic matter (SOM) content (Emerson, 1995).…”

Soil organic matter, effects on soils and crops

“…It is now generally accepted that soil organic matter contributes to soil fertility in a number of ways. It increases cation exchange capacity in light textured soils Uohnston, 1986) and it may increase water-holding capacity, especial11 that of available water (Salter & Williams, 1969). During its oxidation organic matter releases N, P and S and some trace elements at those times in the growing season and in parts of the soil profile when it is difficult to mimic the effects of' such release by application of fertilizers.…”