OSMOTIC CONTROL OF THE MATRIC SOIL-WATER POTENTIAL

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Abstract
A new method, utilizing an osmotic system, for the control of the soil-water matric potential is presented. The soil is separated from an osmotic solution by a semipermeable membrane. Carbowax 6000 is used as the osmoticum and cellophane dialysis tubing is used as the membrane. It is shown that the matric soil water potential in the osmotic system is controlled and equal to the water potential of the water in the osmotic solution across the semipermeable membrane. The predicted equality between the pressure membrane or pressure plate and the osmotic system is well substantiated by results from 4 different soils. It is concluded that the proposed osmotic system is a dependable method for the control of the matric soil-water potential and the determination of the soil water retention curve.