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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Moisture retention/release characteristics of soils of diverse particle size distribution, with particular emphasis on Gezira Vertisol


Eltijani A. Elias. and W. A. Adams²


Abstract:

The study investigated particle size distribution and moisture retention/release properties of Vertisols as compared with some other important soils on a world scale. Two Vertisols, one from the highlands of Ethiopia and the other from the Sudan Gezira were used. In addition to Cegin and Wisbech series soils from UK a Loess soil from the Loess plateau of China was also examined. Particle size distribution and water content, a range ofmatric potentials was determined. The soil moisture content was described either on the basis of the soil volume equilibrated at a specific tension, or on the basis of dry soil mass. Soil volume does not define a fixed quantity (per area) of a swelling soil. As a consequence, available water determined from soil water retention expressed on a soil volume basis underestimates available water capacity.

Keywords:

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 2 (1999) PP. 23-27