Comparison of moisture retention curves for representative basaltic and sedimentary soils in Arizona prepared by two methods

L. J. Heidmann; Michael G. Harrington; Rudy King

doi:10.2737/RM-RN-500

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Comparison of moisture retention curves for representative basaltic and sedimentary soils in Arizona prepared by two methods

Informally Refereed

Authors:

L. J. Heidmann, Michael G. Harrington, Rudy King

Year:

1990

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RM-RN-500

Source:

Res. Note RM-RN-500. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 4 p.

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Download (PDF 2.08 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/59486.pdf

Abstract

Moisture retention curves were prepared for representative basaltic (silty clay loam) and sedimentary (sandy loam) soils in Arizona by two methods. With the vapor pressure method, small soil samples come into equilibrium moisture content with saturated salt solutions of known water potential. The other method measured the water potential of soil samples directly using thermocouple psychrometers. Both methods produced similar curves for the tine-textured basalt soil. However, the r1 curves for the coarse-textured sedimentary soil were unequal. The vapor pressure method, the simplest, least expensive method for developing moisture retention curves, was reliable only for the fine-textured soil.

Keywords

moisture retention curves, thermocouple psychrometer, vapor pressure, basalt soil, sedimentary soil

Citation

Heidmann, L. J.; Harrington, Michael G.; King, Rudy M. 1990. Comparison of moisture retention curves for representative basaltic and sedimentary soils in Arizona prepared by two methods. Res. Note RM-RN-500. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 4 p.