Characteristics of the Soil Matrix That Affect Water Storage and Movement.

摘要

The objectives of the research project were to investigate:Water storage and release from the soil as related to the matrix characteristics;and reactions occurring between water,clay and quartz during initiation,growth and stabilization of domains in the soil matrix that affect the storage and movement of water. It was shown in careful laboratory measurements that soil matric suction increased with time in pulverized,moistened,pressed soil sealed to prevent water loss. Water stability also increased with time for simulated aggregates formed by extrusion under pressure. Time-dependent suction and stability increases suggest spontaneous shift from face-face to edgeface orientation of clay in the matrix. An interesting field application that increased the soil moisture storage reservoir was established on two sandy soil types where moisture deficiency is the principal yield-limiting factor. Treatment consisted of plowing in a nearly continuous,hot sprayed asphalt barrier 55cm deep in two replicated experiments. Various vegetable crops were grown.