Elsevier

Geoderma

Volume 17, Issue 3, March 1977, Pages 225-238
Geoderma

The effects of organic matter and particle size on the water-retention properties of some soils in the west midlands of England

https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7061(77)90053-2Get rights and content

Abstract

The effects of organic matter and particle-size distribution on the available-water (Avf) and retained-water capacities (θvf(0.05)) of 144 surface and subsurface horizons, from 77 west Midland soil profiles was investigated by regression analysis using GENSTAT. A large proportion of the variation in both Avf and θvf(0.05) is explained by differences in organic carbon content. Multiple regression equations incorporating organic carbon, clay and/or silt content explain between 74 and 77% of the variation in θvf(0.05) and between 49 and 57% of the variation in Avf. The practical implications of these results with respect to the management of soils are discussed.

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