Pedosphere 7(4): 367--374, 1997
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©1997 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
Influences of soil physical properties on water-supplying capacity
ZHAO Bing-Zi, XU Fuan and ZHAO Qi-Guo
Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. O. Box 821, Nanjing 210008 (China)
ABSTRACT
      The water-supplying capacity of two agricultural soils, red soil in Jiangxi Province and meadow soil in Henan Province, was assessed mainly using physical investigations. The reticulated mottling horizon in the red soil was a horizon limiting roots distribution due to its high density and hardness in structure and low pH (pH 5.05). The resistance of the red soil to drought hazard was poor because of its low water-supply capacity and poor hydraulic conductivity. The meadow soil had superior profile infiltration to that of the red soil and great available water-storage capacity, which resulted in low run-off loss, especially in the wheat-growth season. It was difficult for water stored in the deep layers of the meadow soil to reach the surface due to the low unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of its clay-rich horizon in subsoil. However, water stored in deep layers was still available because the roots could extend to the deep layers due to the relatively low density in soil structure.
Key Words:  meadow soil, red soil, soil physical properties, water-supplying capacity
Citation: Zhao, B. Z., Xu, F. and Zhao, Q. G. 1997. Influences of soil physical properties on water-supplying capacity. Pedosphere. 7(4): 367-374.
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