Soil and Water

Soil and Water

1. Water Movement in Soils and forces responsible

   • Mass flow or bulk flow
     • Movement of large amounts pushing passed the soil molecules
   • Diffusion or microflow in soils
     • Movement of small amount going around the soil particles

2. Available Water

   • The water content of the soil is not the same as the amount of water available to plants
     • Need to know
       • state of water
       • water in time and space
       • roots in time and space

3. Water flow rates

   • Non-saturated soil : movement across regions of differing matric potential
   • Saturated soil : depends on gravitational forces and the hydraulic resistance of the soil

4. Soil water potential

   • Soil water potential determines availability of water to plant roots

Images and files in the map