Investigation of Amended Sandy Soil's Water Retention Characteristics

Abstract

Purpose: Soil water retention studies are important for evaluating soil quality and water movement in soils. This study assesses the water content capacity and changes in the retention curve of sandy soil after using zeolite X, activated charcoal, and rice husk ash as amendments. Design/Methodology/Approach: Sandy soil samples were collected from the study area, Keta District of Ghana, and a core borer and a pot experiment were used to determine the pressure head and water content of the soil. One-way analysis of variance (One-way ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. Water retention curve analyses were conducted using COMSOL multi-physics simulation and experimental work. Research Limitation/Implication: The amendments used were restricted to zeolite X, activated charcoal, and rice husk ash. Practical Implications: The study contributes to the field of sustainable agriculture and land management by exploring amendments that can potentially reduce water usage in irrigation, mitigate soil erosion, and enhance soil fertility. This aligns with global efforts to promote sustainable and efficient resource use. Social Implications: These findings can be implemented for cases of poor yield by farming communities by applying zeolite X, activated charcoal, and rice husk ash to improve crop productivity.