Moisture retention characteristics of red and forest soils of Kerala

Abstract

Moisture retention studies of red and forest soils were conducted at the College of Horticulture at six different tensions ranging from 0.3 to 15 bar. The results revealed that the clayey textured forest soil retained higher moisture at all the tensions than red soil which is sandy c!ay loam in texture. The field capacity and wilting coefficient values were 24.85 and 18.15 per cent, respectively for forest soil as against 10.45 and 7.21 percent for red soil. About 50 percent of the available water was removed when the tension increased from 0.3 to 1 bar. Significant positive correlations were obtained between moisture contents at different tensions and the contents of clay and silt while the relation with fine sand was significant and negative. Organic carbon failed to show any significant influence on moisture retention but the content of gravel had a depressing effect on moisture percentage especially at 0.3 bar. Regression equations with high predictability have been developed to estimate field capacity and witting coefficient from the contents of organic carbon, textural separates and gravel.