Movement of Water in Soils

Abstract

Investigation of water movement within soil profiles is essential to a better understanding of the process of irrigation. Soils must be capable of cyclic rewetting when roots need water, otherwise there will be a reduction in plant growth and a decline in production. The total water potential may be defined in terms of energy levels of soil water: ψ _T =ψ _M + ψ _M +ψ _g + ψ _p + ψ _o +..+..+.. where M is the matric potential, g is the gravitational potential (elevation), p is the pressure potential, and O is the osmotic potential. Additional terms are theoretically possible denoted here on the right-hand side of the equation by the use of plus and dot.