EFFECT OF BULK DENSITY ON MOISTURE CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS

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Abstract
Soil bulk density changes have marked but specific effects on the moisture characteristics of different soils. In most soils in the plant available moisture range, moderate compaction resulted in an increase in moisture content at constant matric suction. Severe compaction which was readily achieved in sandy loams, resulted in a decrease in moisture content at constant matric suction particularly noticeable at high moisture contents. Differences in void geometry and distribution between soil types accounted for the varied effect of bulk density on moisture content. The bulk density effect is important in calculating Total Available Moisture (TAM) in soils. When disturbed samples were used for field capacity and wilting point determinations, erroneous values for TAM were obtained. Field capacity was therefore measured in the field by saturation and drainage while the wilting point was determined on undisturbed cores. This procedure resulted in reliable values for TAM which could be used with confidence in planning irrigation schemes.

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