Soil water regime gives insight into the amount of water stored in the soil and depends on soil properties and water balance. Soil properties important in irrigation scheduling are bulk density, infiltration rate, soil texture and structure and complete water regime in the soil. The change in water content may be positive (rainfall or irrigation) or negative (the amount of water used by plants, evaporation, surface and deep runoff). Water balance is the foundation for irrigation scheduling as well as the drainage of agricultural lands. It gives insights into the maximum soil water capacity (MSWC), field water capacity (FWC), management allowable depletion (MAD), and wilting point (WP). Estimation of soil water content is the groundwork for determining how much water to apply in one irrigation event and when to irrigate. Irrigation is an agricultural practice that enables the maintenance of optimal water content, that is readily available water. The soil water characteristics are fundamental concepts that give insight into the amount of water retained in the soil, that is the easily available water which is the basis for irrigation scheudling. Despite recent requirements of crop production, i.e., agricultural production in general, soil and water conservation practices can contribute to a long-term agricultural sustainability and balance.

water, soil, water movement, infiltration, filtration, water availability

environmental engineering

Presentation: poster