Abstract:
Seventy five soil samples were collected from different parts of Kerala and
moisture retention studies were conducted at six tensions. The retention properties
were correlated to the contents of organic carbon and textural separates. More than
50 per centof the available water in the 2 mm sieved fraction was depleted when
the tension reached 3 bars. The water content of the 2 mm siaved soil showed
significant positive relation with clay and silt anJ negative relation with coarse and
fine sand fractions. The effect of organic carbon content was not significant.
Prediction equations have been developed to predict water retentions at 0.3 and 15
bars of both the 2 mm sieved soil and also of soil including gravel fraction from the
contents of textural separates, organic carbon and gravel. The latertte soils were
found to have an overall available water content of 3.1 per cent, when gravel
retention was also included.