Water retention and hydraulic conductivity of different media used for containerized agriculture systems Conference

Kumar, V, Savabi, MR, Guerrero, FM et al. (2009). Water retention and hydraulic conductivity of different media used for containerized agriculture systems . 342 3968-3978. 10.1061/41036(342)401

cited authors

  • Kumar, V; Savabi, MR; Guerrero, FM; Tansel, B

authors

abstract

  • Containerized plant production represents an extremely intensive agricultural practice and a large amount of water and chemical fertilizer is applied. Hydo-physical characteristics such as water infiltration, texture and structure, particle size distribution affect the quality of the media used in containerized agricultural systems and the water availability to plants. Water retention characteristics depend on particle size distribution as well as the composition of the media used. Materials with coarser particles allow faster percolation of water and also retain relatively higher amounts moisture per unit weight due to higher porosity But drain faster due to less surface area. Faster drainage can result into air flow through coarser materials causing the media to dry. As the media desaturates, hydraulic conductivity is reduced. The objective of this study was to analyze the different media used by nurseries to characterize the physical properties which would explain the soil-water interactions. In this study we measured soil's hydraulic conductivity in the laboratory using three methods, constant head permeability test, falling head permeability test and tension Infiltrometer. The results were compared in relation to particle size distribution characteristics of samples. The results of the study indicate that the four common media being used in nurseries in South Florida have distinct hydro-physical properties. The result of this should assist the land managers while selecting the Best Management Practices. © 2009 ASCE.

publication date

  • October 26, 2009

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 13

start page

  • 3968

end page

  • 3978

volume

  • 342