Abstract
A study was conducted to examine the effect of water application rate on the structure of a clay soil with high aggregate stability. A rainfall applicator was constructed to produce uniform drops of 2·59 mm dia, falling from a height of 2 m onto soil samples located on a revolving turntable. Irrigation rates ranged from 1·7 to 20·7 mm/h. In all the treatments, an equal amount of water was applied, equivalent to a rainfall of 5·6 mm. The duration of the irrigation period varied accordingly. After water application, the air permeability of the wet soil crust was determined, as well as the strength required to drive a penetrometer into the soil to a depth of 0·5 cm. As the rate of water application increased, there was a significant reduction in air permeability of the crust, and a significant increase in the pressure required to penetrate the upper soil surface. The penetrometer appeared to be very sensitive to soil structure changes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
