Comparison of field and laboratory measured hydraulic properties of selected diagnostic soil horizons

Abstract: 
This study characterised the hydraulic properties of two soil types in South Africa, Bainsvlei and Tukulu using both field (instantaneous profile method) and laboratory (desorption techniques). The results showed that the two approaches well defined water retention, but variation were observed due to texture differences. Also, the K-θ relationships predicted from the θ-h relationships of the soil cores corresponded well with those determined by the instantaneous profile field method for water contents. Overall, the instantaneous profile method appeared attractive when applied to relatively homogeneous soil profile where one-dimensional vertical flow can be expected after saturation. However, it is not applicable to stratified soil profiles with slowly permeable layer .
Cette étude a caractérisé les propriétés hydrauliques de deux types de sol en Afrique du Sud, le Bainsvlei et le Tukulu, utilisant à la fois des méthodes sur terrain (méthode du profil instantané) et au laboratoire (techniques de désorption). Les résultats ont montré que les deux approches ont bien défini la rétention d’eau, mais la variation a été observée suite aux différences de texture. Aussi, la relation-K prédite à partir de la relation-H des noyaux du sol se sont bien convenues avec celles déterminées par la méthode sur terrain du profil instantané de la teneur en eau. Dans l’ensemble, la méthode du profil instantané est apparue intéressante lorsqu’elle est appliquée au profil de sol relativement homogène où l’écoulement vertical à une dimension peut être prévu après la saturation. Toutefois, elle n’est pas applicable aux profils de sol stratifié avec une couche peu perméable.
Language: 
English
Date of publication: 
2010
Country: 
Region Focus: 
Southern Africa
University/affiliation: 
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Access restriction: 
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
ISSN: 
E_ISSN: 
Edition: 
Extent: 
1327-1330
Notes: 

"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme soil science and water management".