Soil Moisture Constants And Their Variation Classic Reprint

Author : Frank K. Cameron
Publisher : Forgotten Books
ISBN 13 : 9780484660655
Total Pages : 128 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (66 download)

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Download or read book Moisture Content and Physical Condition of Soils (Classic Reprint) written by Frank K. Cameron and published by Forgotten Books. This book was released on 2017-12-24 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from Moisture Content and Physical Condition of Soils Optimum; and, on the other hand, there is no especial difficulty in carrying some of our common crops to a satisfactory maturity in water cultures. The investigation described in the following pages Shows conclusively not only that physical condition and the several properties on which it depends have an intimate relation with the water content of the soil, but that there is marked accentuation in these properties at a critical water content; and that this critical con tent is identical with the optimum water content. The moisture penetration curve shows a minimum force required for penetration at the optimum water content; the moisture-apparent Specific gravity curve shows a minimum point at the Optimum water content; the curves for evaporation show a marked difference in the rate of evapo ration above and below the optimum water content. It is apparent, therefore, that the true significance of optimum water content is that particular content at which the soil can be put into the best possible condition for plant growth. The plant can then best draw its needed water from the soil because all the other factors making for good growth are also at their best. Moreover, an increase in water content in excess of the optimum generally produces a greater detrimental effect on the plant than a decrease below the optimum. Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that practical men in bringing a soil to Optimum water content judge when this point is reached by the appearance and feel of the soil; i. E., by the phys ical condition into which it can be brought, and not directly by any plant phenomenon. There is a widespread impression that the Opti mum water content for any one soil varies for different plants. That is, the physiological optimum, as determined by the plant, may not coincide with the physical optimum, as determined by the soil proper ties. While this may be true for certain exceptional cases, it is erro neons as regards the majority of common field crops, since the water content that makes for the best physical condition of the soil is as a necessary consequence the best for plant growth. Other evidence from experiments on wilting will be given in detail in support of this view. The available evidence seems to be conclusive that the problem of water supply and optimum water content is fundamentally a soil problem and incidentally a plant problem. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.