Moisture retention characteristics of red and forest soils of Kerala
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Date
1985
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Publisher
Kerala Agricultural University
Abstract
Moisture retention studies of red and forest soils were conducted at the
College of Horticulture at six different tensions ranging from 0.3 to 15 bar. The
results revealed that the clayey textured forest soil retained higher moisture at all
the tensions than red soil which is sandy c!ay loam in texture. The field capacity
and wilting coefficient values were 24.85 and 18.15 per cent, respectively for forest
soil as against 10.45 and 7.21 percent for red soil. About 50 percent of the
available water was removed when the tension increased from 0.3 to 1 bar.
Significant positive correlations were obtained between moisture contents at
different tensions and the contents of clay and silt while the relation with fine sand
was significant and negative. Organic carbon failed to show any significant
influence on moisture retention but the content of gravel had a depressing effect on
moisture percentage especially at 0.3 bar. Regression equations with high predictability
have been developed to estimate field capacity and witting coefficient from
the contents of organic carbon, textural separates and gravel.
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Citation
Agricultural Research Journal of Kerala, 23(1), 17-23.