Effect of Temperature and Plow Pan on Water Movement in Monolithic Weighable Lysimeter with Paddy Sandy Loam Soil during Winter Season

Abstract

The monolithic weighing lysimeter is a useful facility that could directly measure water movement via layers, drainage, and evapotranspiration (ET) with precise sensors. We evaluated water movement through layers and water balance using the lysimeter with undisturbed paddy sandy loam soil, Gangseo soil series (mesic family of Anthraquic Eutrudepts classified by Soil Taxonomy) during winter season from Dec. 2014 to Feb. 2015. Daily ET indicated up to 1.5 mm in December and January and 2 mm in February. The abrupt increase of soil water tension at the depth of 0.1 m, when soil temperature at the same depth was below <TEX>$2^{\circ}C$</TEX>, was observed due to temporary frost heaving. The surface evaporation was less than reference ET below -15 kPa of soil water potential at the depth of 0.1 m. The maximum drainage rate was similar to the saturated hydraulic conductivity of a plow pan layer. Both upward and downward water movement, related to ET and drainage, were retarded by a plow pan layer. This study demonstrated that the lysimeter study could well quantify water balance components even under frost heaving during winter season and that a plow pan with low permeability could act as a boundary that affects drainage and evapotranspiration.