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The available water holding capacity of soils under pasture

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  • Horne, D.J.
  • Scotter, D.R.

Abstract

The concept of available water holding capacity (AWHC) is important to many aspects of soil water management, particularly those involving a soil water balance calculation. In New Zealand AWHC estimates are commonly based directly or indirectly on laboratory measured pressure plate data. Such retentivity based values for AWHC are relatively similar across a range of soil types. Less often, AWHC values have been measured under rye grass/white clover pasture in the field. We critically discuss an important earlier New Zealand study. It noted that field-measured values are commonly about twice the laboratory-based estimates. We conclude that variable rooting depth, due to the presence or absence of compacted soil at depth and/or variable pasture vigour or species composition, usually has a greater effect on the AWHC than does the soil properties in the top 760mm depth. Finally, it is claimed that this uncertainty around the exact size of AWHC need not undermine its utility. The one exemption to this assurance is where reliable predictions of drainage (and leaching) below the root zone are required: in this case there is the likelihood that use of the often quoted values for AWHC in the water balance will result in a significant overestimation of drainage (and leaching).

Suggested Citation

  • Horne, D.J. & Scotter, D.R., 2016. "The available water holding capacity of soils under pasture," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 165-171.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:177:y:2016:i:c:p:165-171
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2016.07.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tillman, R. W. & Scotter, D. R. & Clothier, B. E. & White, R. E., 1991. "Solute movement during intermittent water flow in a field soil and some implications for irrigation and fertilizer application," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 119-133, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Giltrap, Donna L. & Kirschbaum, Miko U.F. & Liáng, Lìyǐn L., 2021. "The potential effectiveness of four different options to reduce environmental impacts of grazed pastures. A model-based assessment," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    2. Proloy Deb & Prankanu Debnath & Anjelo Francis Denis & Ong Tshering Lepcha, 2019. "Variability of soil physicochemical properties at different agroecological zones of Himalayan region: Sikkim, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 2321-2339, October.
    3. Yamaç, Sevim Seda & Şeker, Cevdet & Negiş, Hamza, 2020. "Evaluation of machine learning methods to predict soil moisture constants with different combinations of soil input data for calcareous soils in a semi arid area," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).

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