AN ESTIMATION OF THE VOLUME OF WATER MADE AVAILABLE BY ROOT EXTENSION

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Abstract
The volume of water made available daily by root growth was calculated for winter rye using the data published by Dittmer (Amer. Jour. Bot. 24: 417-420. 1937). It was assumed that the roots came in contact with all the soil particles in a cylinder 2 mm. in diam. and that 3.1 miles of roots were added daily. This amt. of root extension would make available about 1.6 1. of water daily in a sandy loam soil at field capacity and about 2.9 1. in a heavy clay soil. The sandy loam soil had a moisture equivalent of 15% and a wilting % of 4.8, the clay soil had a moisture equivalent of 46% and a wilting % of 27.5. At least under some conditions, root extension may make available all the water required by a plant.