Impact of soil texture on temporal and spatial development of osmotic‐potential gradients between bulk soil and rhizosphere

Solute transport from the bulk soil to the root surface is, apart from changes in soil moisture and plant nutrient uptake, a prerequisite for changes in soil osmotic potential (Ψ_o). According to the convection‐diffusion equation, solute transport depends on a number of parameters (soil moisture–release curve, hydraulic conductivity, tortuosity factor) which are functions of soil texture. It was thus hypothesized that soil texture should have an effect on the formation of Ψ_o gradients between bulk soil and the root surface. The knowledge about such gradients is important to evaluate water availability in the soil‐plant‐atmosphere continuum (SPAC). A linear compartment system with maize grown under controlled conditions in two texture treatments (T1, pure sand; T2, 80% sand, 20% silt) under low and high initial application of salts (S1, S2) was used to measure the development of Ψ_o gradients between bulk soil and the root surface by microscale soil‐solution sampling and TDR sensors. The differences in soil texture had a strong impact on the formation of Ψ_o gradients between bulk soil and the root surface at high and low initial salt application rate. At high initial salt application, a maximum osmotic‐potential gradient (ΔΨ_o) of –340 kPa was observed for the texture treatment T2 compared to ΔΨ_o of –180 in T1. The steeper gradients in osmotic potential in treatment T2 compared to T1 corresponded to higher cumulative water consumption in this treatment which can partly be explained by higher soil hydraulic conductivity in the range of soil matric potentials covered during the duration of the experiments. Differences between texture treatments in Ψ_o at the root surface did not result in differences in plant‐water relations measured as gas‐exchange parameters (transpiration rate, water‐use efficiency) and leaf osmotic potential. If soil osmotic and matric potential are regarded as additive in calculating the driving force for water movement from the soil into the root, the observed differences in water flux between treatments cannot be explained.     

地膜覆盖滴灌棉田土壤上水分动态的数值模拟

Drip irrigation under plastic mulch has been widely applied in arid Northwest China as a water-saving irrigation technology.A comprehensive knowledge of the distribution and movement of soil water in root zone is essential for the design and management of irrigation regimes.Simulation models have been proved to be efcient methods for this purpose.In this study,the numerical model Hydrus -2D was used to simulate the temporal variations of soil water content in a drip irrigated cotton field under mulching.A concept of partitioning coefcient,calibrated to be 0.07,was introduced to describe the efect of plastic mulch on prevention of evaporation.The soil hydraulic parameters were optimized by inverse solution using the field data.At the optimized conditions,the model was used to predict soil water content for four field treatments.The agreements between the predictions and observations were evaluated using coefcient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE).The results suggested that the model fairly reproduced the variations in soil water content at all locations in four treatments,with R2 ranging from 0.582 to 0.826 and RMSE from 0.029 to 0.050 cm3 cm-3,indicating that the simulations agreed well with the observations.     

Grazing‐induced alterations of soil hydraulic properties and functions in Inner Mongolia,PR China

Increasing grazing intensities of sheep and goats can lead to an increasing degradation of grasslands. We investigated four plots of different grazing intensities (heavily grazed, winter‐grazed, ungrazed since 1999, and ungrazed since 1979) in Inner Mongolia, PR China, in order to study the effects of trampling‐induced mechanical stresses on soil hydraulic properties. Soil water transport and effective evapotranspiration under “heavily grazed” and “ungrazed since 1979” were modeled using the HYDRUS‐1D model. Model calibration was conducted using data collected from field studies. The field data indicate that grazing decreases soil C content and hydrophobicity. Pore volume is reduced, and water‐retention characteristics are modified, the saturated hydraulic conductivity decreases, and its anisotropy (vertical vs. horizontal conductivity) is influenced. Modeling results revealed higher evapotranspiration on the ungrazed site (ungrazed since 1979) compared to the grazed site (heavily grazed) due to wetter soil conditions, more dense vegetation, litter cover, and decreased runoff and drainage, respectively. Grazing modified the partitioning of evapotranspiration with lower transpiration and higher evaporation at the grazed site owing to reduced root water uptake due to reduced evaporation and a patchy soil cover.     

滴灌枸杞对龟裂碱土几种酶活性的改良效应

在盐碱地改良利用过程中,有必要研究土壤酶活性变化,以评价土壤环境质量的改善。龟裂碱土重度盐碱荒地主要分布在我国西北旱区,该土壤碱化度高,结构差,导水率极低。2009年,采用滴头下设置沙穴的方式滴灌种植枸杞,开垦利用该盐碱荒地。2011年枸杞生长季末,在不同种植年限地块土壤剖面上网格状密集取土,进行土壤脲酶、碱性磷酸酶和蔗糖酶活性的测定。结果表明,未种植土壤3种酶活性极低;滴灌种植之后,随着根区土壤水盐特性和养分状况的改善,土壤酶活性显著增加。就整个土壤剖面而言,土壤酶活性自根区向四周逐渐降低,表现出较大的空间变异性。相关性和通径分析结果显示,土壤p H始终是影响该土壤酶活性的主要因子,且在p H7.38~10.00的范围内,3种酶活性随土壤p H的增大呈指数式减小(p0.01)。总之,滴灌种植枸杞之后,龟裂碱土重度盐碱荒地土壤生物学性质得到显著改善。     

Water retention of light expanded clay amendment

Abstract

Shallow‐drained horticultural soils utilized in containers, sporting areas, and landscape sites tend to retain excess water and thereby be poorly aerated as a consequence of capillary retention following irrigation or precipitation. This problem is usually corrected by soil physical amendment with coarse‐textured particulates to add large pores which drain and provide adequate aeration. A variety of materials are used for soil physical amendment. This study examined the water retention of one of the newer amendments used for this purpose, light expanded clay amendment (LECA), relative to its use in shallow‐drained soils. Although LECA is a porous material, its contribution to soil physical properties when used as an amendment were found to be similar to non‐porous amendments such as river sand or gravel because the internal water is not readily available for plant use.     

RESPONSES OF WHEAT PLANTS IN TERMS OF SOIL WATER CONTENT,BULK DENSITY,SALINITY, AND ROOT GROWTH UNDER DIFFERENT PLANTING SYSTEMS AND VARIOUS IRRIGATION FREQUENCIES

The effects of irrigation water rates and seed bed shapes on changes in soil water and salinity status, bulk density, root growth and dry matter (DM) weights of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated with a split plot design in a field trial in Zahak Agricultural Research Station in Sistan, Iran in 2005. Irrigation intervals after 80 and 160 mm evaporation from class A evaporation pan were used as main plot. Flat surface, single, triple, and six-row beds with a 20 cm row space were used as subplots. Each treatment was replicated four times. Volumetric soil water content and soil electrical conductivity (EC) were measured using Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) at 0 —20, 20 —40 and 40 —60 cm depths at nine different times during the growing season. Soil water contents were also measured at 0 —10 and 10 —20 cm depths using standard sampling rings at four different times. The three and six-row beds increased the EC of the saturated paste extract with the more frequent irrigation intervals in this coarse textured soil. Soil water content, DM, and root density were always greater with the more frequent irrigations (shorter irrigation intervals). Root density was greatest in 0 —20 cm depth with the single row bed treatment. Grain yield and root density were greatest with single row bed treatment due to the bed shape at the root development stage (possibly due to a reduced mechanical resistance). A greater soil water content by the short irrigation interval increased grain yield and root density via reducing mechanical resistance. With the loamy sand, bulk density and mechanical resistance increased rapidly after cultivation. Bed shape at root development stage might have enhanced root growth and the crop yields. Apparently, mechanical resistance was the most limiting factor with these loamy sand soils than salinity.     

Vulnerability of Bavarian silty loam soil to compaction under heavy wheel traffic: impacts of tillage method and soil water content

Soil compaction caused by traffic of heavy vehicles and machinery has become a problem of world-wide concern. The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare the changes in bulk density, soil strength, porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity and air permeability during sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) harvesting on a typical Bavarian soil (Regosol) as well as to assess the most appropriate variable factors that fit with the effective controlling of subsequent compaction. The field experiments, measurements and laboratory testing were carried out in Freising, Germany. Two tillage systems (conventional plough tillage and reduced chisel tillage) were used in the experiments. The soil water contents were adjusted to 0.17 g g⁻¹ (w₁), 0.27 g g⁻¹ (w₂) and 0.35 g g⁻¹ (w₃).Taking the increase in bulk density, the decrease in air permeability and reduction of wide coarse pore size porosity (−6 kPa) into account, it seems that CT (ploughing to a depth of 0.25 m followed by two passes of rotary harrow to a depth 0.05 m) of plots were compacted to a depth of at least 0.25 m and at most 0.40 m in high soil water (w₃) conditions. The trends were similar for “CT w₁” (low soil water content) plots. However, it seems that “CT w₁” plots were less affected than “CT w₃” plots with regard to bulk density increases under partial load. In contrast, diminishments of wide coarse pores (−6 kPa) and narrow (tight) coarse pores (−30 kPa) were significantly higher in “CT w₁” plots down to 0.4 m. Among CT plots, the best physical properties were obtained at medium soil water (w₂) content. No significant increase in bulk density and no significant decrease in coarse pore size porosity and total porosity below 0.2 m were observed at medium soil water content. The soil water content seemed to be the most decisive factor.It is likely that, CS (chiselling to a depth of 0.13 m followed by two passes of rotary harrow to a depth 0.05 m) plots were less affected by traffic treatments than CT plots. Considering the proportion of coarse pore size porosity (structural porosity) and total porosity, no compaction effects below 0.3 m were found. Medium soil water content (w₂) provides better soil conditions after traffic with regard to wide coarse pore size porosity (−6 kPa), air permeability (at 6 and 30 kPa water suction), total porosity and bulk density. Proportion of wide coarse pores, air permeability and bulk density seems to be suitable parameters to detect soil compaction under the conditions tested.     

Nitrate leaching as influenced by soil tillage and catch crop

Because of public and political concern for the quality of surface and ground water, leaching of nitrate is of special concern in many countries. To evaluate the effects of tillage and growth of a catch crop on nitrate leaching, two field trials were conducted in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under temperate coastal climate conditions. On a coarse sand (1987–1992), ploughing in autumn or in spring in combination with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) as a catch crop was evaluated. Furthermore, rotovating and direct drilling were included. The experiment was conducted on a 19-year-old field trial with continuous production of spring barley. On a sandy loam (1988–1992), ploughing in autumn or in spring in combination with stubble cultivation and perennial ryegrass, in addition to minimum tillage, was evaluated in a newly established field trial. For calculation of nitrate leaching, soil water isolates from depths of 0.8 or 1.0 m were taken using ceramic cups. No significant effect of tillage was found on the coarse sand; however, a significant effect of tillage was found on the sandy loam, where leaching from autumn ploughed plots without stubble cultivation was 16 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ higher than leaching from spring ploughed plots. Leaching was significantly less when stubble cultivation in autumn was omitted. Leaching on both soil types was significantly reduced by the growth of a catch crop which was ploughed under in autumn or in spring. It was concluded that soil cultivation increased leaching on the sandy loam but not on the coarse sand, and that the growth of perennial ryegrass as a catch crop reduced leaching on both soil types, particularly when ryegrass was ploughed under in spring.     

马尾松人工林地浅沟表层土壤颗粒的空间分布特征

为研究马尾松林地浅沟侵蚀对地表特征的影响,选取南方红壤区马尾松人工林地发育完整的浅沟为研究对象,采用野外调查与室内试验分析相结合的方法,研究浅沟表层(0—5cm)土壤颗粒分布的空间差异性。结果表明:(1)研究区内表层土壤颗粒中石砾含量较高,约占78.68%,土壤为多砾质沙土,土壤水蚀使得浅沟表层土壤粗化。(2)浅沟不同部位间表层土壤颗粒分布差异明显,其中石砾含量表现为沟底沟坡沟缘,沟底的石砾含量极显著小于沟坡和沟缘的含量(P0.01);极粗砂、中粗砂、细砂粒、粉粒和黏粒含量均表现为沟底沟坡沟缘,且沟底的含量均极显著大于沟坡和沟缘的含量(P0.01);而沟坡和沟缘土壤颗粒含量差异不显著(P0.05)。(3)沿沟长方向从沟头到沟口,沟底表层土壤中粗颗粒含量呈减小趋势,细颗粒含量呈增大趋势;而沟坡和沟缘趋势正好相反,说明在浅沟沟底中上部主要为侵蚀作用,而在中下部主要为沉积作用。(4)不同粒级土壤颗粒含量最优半方差函数理论模型均为高斯模型,土壤颗粒含量的块金系数最大仅为0.36%,远小于25%,不同粒级土壤颗粒含量表现出强烈的空间自相关性。本研究可为南方红壤区人工林地土壤侵蚀治理提供理论支持。     

Temporal changes of soil physical and hydraulic properties in strawberry fields

Even over short time intervals, soil properties are subject to variation, especially in managed soils. The objective of this study was to assess the temporal changes of soil physical and hydraulic properties in strawberry fields cultivated under surface drip fertigation in Turuçu, Brazil. Intact core samples were collected from the near surface soil layer of seedbeds to determine the total porosity (TP), macroporosity (MA), matrix porosity, bulk density (BD), available water capacity (AWC), field capacity, wilting point and Dexter’s S index. Aggregate samples were collected from the arable layer to determine the aggregate size distribution and aggregate mean weight diameter. All samples were collected from 15 strawberry fields and at four different times during the 2007–2008 strawberry growing cycle. Although soil pore‐solid relations are expected to adjust soon after seedbed construction, their variation was only evident after >13 weeks. Even though values of TP and MA decreased with time, and those of BD increased near the end of the growing cycle, all the soils maintained their capacity to support root activity as indicated by critical values of Dexter’s index (S > 0.03). The amount of relatively large aggregates (9.51–2.00 mm) and AWC increased towards the end of the strawberry cultivation cycle. With changes in soil structure improving soil physical quality, strawberry development benefitted. We showed that if farmers gradually increase the amount of water through fertigation to a maximum value occurring at the end of crop cycle instead of applying water at a constant rate, water and energy use efficiency in agriculture would improve.     

土壤初始含水率对膜孔灌湿润体特征的影响

为了研究膜孔灌中土壤初始含水率对湿润体特征及累积入渗量的影响,首先通过室内试验验证HYDRUS模拟西安粉壤土膜孔灌湿润体形状以及含水率分布的可靠性,然后基于HYDRUS模型模拟在不同初始含水率条件下膜孔灌湿润体的变化过程。结果表明:基于HYDRUS模型模拟的累积入渗量和湿润锋运移距离与室内试验结果的R~2均接近1,标准偏差绝对值均小于10%,拟合良好,表明HYDRUS模型模拟入渗过程的可靠性。膜孔灌湿润锋形状可采用椭圆方程表示。当初始含水率较小(不大于0.1 cm~3/cm~3)时,湿润体半径的含水率分布可采用椭圆方程表示;从膜孔中心到湿润锋表面,随着初始含水率的增大,湿润体内的含水率梯度减小,湿润体半径的含水率分布曲线由椭圆曲线逐渐转变为平缓曲线。基于湿润体含水率分布规律建立了考虑初始含水率的累积入渗量模型,累积入渗量与湿润体半径的三次方呈正比,湿润体半径可表示为湿润锋水平运移距离和垂向运移距离的几何平均值;对于不同的膜孔半径(1～5cm),模型计算累积入渗量与HYDRUS模拟值的R~2为0.99,标准偏差绝对值小于10%;对于粉土、粉壤土和壤土,当初始体积含水率不大于0.25 cm~3/cm~3算累积入渗量与HYDRUS模拟值的R~2为0.99,标准偏差绝对值小于10%,结果表明该模型对不同土壤质地和膜孔半径的适用性良好;该模型在计算作物灌水需求量方面优于Kostiacov模型等传统的经验模型。该研究揭示了不同初始含水率下的膜孔灌湿润体特征,并建立了累积入渗量模型,可为膜孔灌灌溉水量的计算提供参考依据。     

Effect of root systems on preferential flow in swelling soil

Abstract

Permeability problems on irrigated soils may be alleviated by root systems that increase water flow by creating macropores. Infiltration rates have been shown to increase where plant roots decay and serve as preferential flow paths. For low‐organic‐matter swelling soil, there is a question whether macropores are able to resist the lateral swelling forces of the soil. The objective of this study was to observe preferential water flow paths in a swelling soil under two cropping systems. A Holtville silty clay (clayey‐over‐loamy, montmorillonitic Typic Torrifluvent) was observed in situ. Two crops, alfalfa (Medicago sativa, L.) and wheat (Triticum turgidum, L.) provided sharply contrasting root systems, with wheat possessing fine, fibrous roots; alfalfa on the other hand, has a taproot system. Macropores were observed after applying soil‐adsorbing methylene blue dye to irrigation water. Shrinkage cracks failed to conduct dye after 10 minutes into a flood irrigation. Earthworm (Lubricus terrestris) channels were also not stable. However, decaying roots of alfalfa produced stable macropores, while wheat produced no such macropores. The influence of alfalfa‐root‐induced macropores was demonstrated by the increase in final infiltration rate during alfalfa cropping which agreed with Meek et al.’s (1989, 1990) findings on sandy loam soils.     

沙坡头区直插式根灌条件下土壤水分变化分析

为提高沙坡头地区造林过程中的水分利用效率,制定最优化的灌溉制度,在宁夏中卫沙坡头自然保护区,两年生固沙梭梭(Haloxy lonammodendron)林展开直插式根灌节水试验,分析和模拟直插式根灌过程中土壤水分入渗和消退规律。结果表明:1)直插式根灌过程中,土壤含水量随灌水时间的变化符合Logistic曲线变化;停灌后,土壤水分消退规律符合幂函数模型变化。2)本试验条件下,不同土层土壤水分最大入渗速率依次为60 cm40 cm80 cm100 cm20 cm,达到最大入渗速率的时间40 cm土层最短,平均为1.22 h,100 cm土层最长,平均为4.57 h;1 m深土层土壤水分最大入渗速率平均为1.65%·h-1,达到最大入渗速率的时间平均为2.16 h。3)根据模拟结果,建议沙坡头区梭梭林直插式根灌灌溉周期为4 d左右,单次灌水时间以6~10 h为宜。4)停灌2 h后,各土层土壤含水量消退速率随土层深度增加而增大,停灌后48 h,各土层土壤水分消退速率基本为零;梭梭全生长期,1 m深土层土壤水分消退速率在结实期最大,为2.20%·h-1,休眠期最小,为1.31%·h-1。5)直插式根灌对20 cm土层土壤水分的影响最小,对60 cm土层土壤水分影响最大;灌溉过程中,土壤水分等值线以60 cm土层等值线为中心,向表层和深层土壤辐射状分布,灌后各土层平均土壤含水量,20 cm和60 cm土层与其他各土层之间差异显著(P0.05)。研究表明,直插式根灌的土壤水分入渗规律符合Logistic曲线变化,消退规律符合幂函数曲线变化,直插式根灌对20 cm土层土壤水分的影响最小,对60 cm土层土壤水分影响最大,沙坡头区梭梭林直插式根灌灌溉周期为4 d左右,单次灌水时间以6~10 h为宜。     

A simple system for raising clean‐rooted plants for solution culture experiments

Abstract

A simple arrangement is described for growing seedlings with clean roots for use in solution culture experiments. It consists of a deep level tray containing seed trays subdivided into modules filled with smooth coarse gravel. These are flooded periodically with nutrient solution using a pump and time switch. The solution then drains back into a reservoir underneath the tray. The system requires very little attention and spinach plants grew better in gravel than in sand or commercial peat‐based compost.     

Nitrogen forms affect root growth,photosynthesis, and yield of tomato under alternate partial root‐zone irrigation

To increase efficiency of water and nitrogen (N) fertilizer use, this study was conducted with a split‐root pot experiment to investigate the effects of different forms of N fertilizer on root growth, photosynthesis, instantaneous water use efficiency (IWUE), and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) under alternate partial root‐zone irrigation (APRI). Three irrigation modes comprised conventional irrigation (CI) and two kinds of APRI, i.e., APRI with water content in the drying soil compartment controlled at ≥ 60% or 40% of the water‐holding capacity (APRI‐60, APRI‐40). Two N forms included ammonium‐N and nitrate‐N supplied as calcium nitrate or ammonium sulfate, respectively. The results show that APRI‐60 enhanced root growth and increased leaf IWUE with a slight yield reduction compared with CI regardless of the N form supplied. In contrast, APRI‐40 significantly decreased root growth and inhibited photosynthesis, thereby resulting in a significant yield loss. In addition, at the flowering stage tomato plants grew better with ammonium‐N than nitrate‐N supply; however, at the fruit expansion stage and maturity stage, the tomato plants had a higher biomass accumulation and yield with nitrate‐N than ammonium‐N supply. Therefore, the application of APRI should consider the soil water condition coupled with an appropriate N form. In the present study, APRI controlled at ≥ 60% of the water‐holding capacity (WHC) for the drying soil side with nitrate‐N supply was the best water‐fertilizer supply for tomato cultivation.     

The effect of soil texture and organic amendment on the hydrological behaviour of coarse-textured soils

To gain more insight into the hydrological behaviour of coarse-textured soils, the physical properties of artificially created soil mixtures with different texture were determined. The mixtures were prepared according to the specifications of the United States Golf Association (USGA) for constructing putting greens. In addition, the effect of 10 vol.% organic matter addition was studied. The soil moisture retention and hydraulic conductivity relationships of the different mixtures were determined and their hydrological behaviour was studied using the numerical model SoWaM. Both texture and organic matter addition substantially affected the hydraulic properties. Hydraulic conductivity significantly increased with increasing coarseness while moisture retention decreased. On the other hand, organic matter addition reduced saturated hydraulic conductivity by a factor of 10 to 100 and distinctly increased moisture retention capacity. The amounts of total available water were increased by the addition of organic matter between 144% (slightly coarse texture) and 434% (very coarse texture). Results indicate that the mixtures can contain only 2–16% plant available water and therefore need frequent irrigation to maintain plant growth. Addition of organic matter seems a good solution to reduce the irrigation water requirements but it increases the risk of ponding or runoff because of large reductions in the saturated hydraulic conductivity sometimes to below the rate of 3.6 m/day recommended by the USGA.     

Prediction of long‐term sustainability of constructed urban soil: impact of high amounts of organic matter on soil physical properties and water transfer

Sustainability of urban soils lies in their ability to facilitate water and air permeabilities. Exogenous organic matter has been shown to have a positive impact on these properties. Under urban conditions, a large one‐time input of an organic amendment was made to the reconstituted soil. Two organic materials, green‐waste compost (gw) or cocompost from sewage sludge and wood chips (sw), were mixed with sandy loam soil (40% v/v) and placed in 600‐L containers. Containers received a 29‐cm thick layer of sandy loam soil–organic matter mix over a 28‐cm thick layer without organic amendment. Volumetric water content, dry bulk density, hydraulic conductivity at saturation and water retention were measured over 5 yrs in the soils and values for the mixes and a control compared. After this time, dry bulk density was greater (1.54 g/cm³) in control than in gw or sw soils (1.31 and 1.11 g/cm³, respectively), whereas hydraulic conductivity at saturation was smaller (4 × 10^?7 m/s) than in gw (3.4 × 10^?6) or sw (3.7 × 10^?6 m/s). HYDRUS 1D water balance model indicated that below 27 cm depth in the control after 5 yrs, there was a high degree of anoxia, lasting >200 days per year, compared with <40 days in gw and sw. Amplification of the risk of anoxia below 27 cm depth after 10 yrs was 323, 151 and 100 days in the control, gw and sw, respectively. Organic matter amendment could support sustainable urban soils for ten years after soil reconstitution.     

Comparison of seven water retention functions used for modelling soil hydraulic conductivity due to film flow

The unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity accounting for film flow is important for understanding soil hydrological and biological processes, especially in arid and semi‐arid regions. Recently, a theoretically based hydraulic conductivity model was developed to describe the hydraulic conductivity as a function of water content. We have used this model to compare seven soil water retention functions commonly used for predicting soil hydraulic conductivity due to film flow. A total of 30 soils, varying in basic properties, were selected from the Unsaturated Soil Hydraulic Database to evaluate the seven functions. The Webb method was applied to identify the critical soil matric potential (h _c) below which thin film flow controls water movement. Soil hydraulic conductivity measurements at matric potential below h _c were then used for curve fitting according to the seven functions. Slight differences were observed among the functions in predicting soil hydraulic conductivity due to film flow. Six of the seven functions in combination with the hydraulic conductivity model described the hydraulic conductivity due to film flow well, according to the terms of the coefficient of efficiency. The relatively poor performance of the one exception was due to the fact that the linear shape of the function made it less flexible at low matric potentials. In addition, the effect of textural class on its performance was substantial, showing a poorer fit for the sand soil compared with the loam and clay soils. These findings have important applications related to soil and water resources conservation especially in arid and semi‐arid regions.     

Soil structural indices' dependence on irrigation water quality and their association with chromophoric components in dissolved organic matter

Irrigation with treated wastewater (TWW) may affect soil structure and stability and the characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) of the soil solution. The objectives of our study were (i) to evaluate the impact of TWW irrigation, as compared with fresh water (FW) irrigation, on aggregate stability and saturated hydraulic conductivity (indices of soil structure stability) and (ii) to determine whether these indices can be associated with the chromophoric indicators of water‐extractable DOM in TWW‐ and FW‐irrigated soils. We studied aggregate stability and soil hydraulic conductivity (HC) of four different soil types irrigated with either TWW (for at least 5 years) or FW. The results were linked to earlier published data on the concentration scores of fluorescent chromophoric DOM components (obtained from excitation‐emission matrices of flouorescence coupled with parallel factor analysis), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and absorbance at 254 nm (Abs254). These were all obtained from water extracts of the same soils as those used in the current study. Irrigation with TWW decreased aggregate stability, in comparison to irrigation with FW, in the sandy clay and clay soils, while in the loamy sand TWW increased aggregate stability. The apparent steady state HCs in the TWW‐irrigated samples in the loamy sand, sandy clay and clay soils were similar to, or significantly less than, those obtained in the FW‐irrigated samples. In the sandy loam the opposite trend was noted. Results of principal component and classification analyses showed that the aggregate stability indices were directly associated with soil organic matter and DOM attributes in the coarse‐textured soils, while in the fine‐textured soils inverse associations were noted. Only in the fine‐textured soils were the HC attributes associated (directly) with some of the DOM characteristics. Our results suggest that structural indices of fine‐textured soils are more sensitive than those of coarse‐textured soils to the composition of water extractable DOM.