ARS | Publication request: SITE-SPECIFIC HYDRAULIC PROPERTIES OF SEVERAL SOILS IN THE SE COASTAL PLAIN

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 16, 2003
Publication Date: November 3, 2003
Citation: SADLER, E.J., NOVAK, J.M., WATTS, D.W., BUSSCHER, W.J., FREDERICK, J.R. 2003. SITE-SPECIFIC HYDRAULIC PROPERTIES OF SEVERAL SOILS IN THE SE COASTAL PLAIN [abstract] [CD-ROM]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA ANNUAL MEETING ABSTRACTS.

Technical Abstract: Empirical determination of spatially dense soil physical properties would be prohibitively expensive, despite the critical need for such information. Therefore, much effort has been committed toward defining pedotransfer functions based on more-easily-measured soil properties. The physical properties of interest, particularly water retention functions and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity functions, can then be used in models or to interpret other empirical observations. As a byproduct of other investigations in the SE US Coastal Plain, three datasets were obtained that included particle size analysis, bulk density, and soil organic carbon contents. These parameters are inputs for several types of pedotransfer functions, including those embodied in the WAVE model, the Rosetta program, and a local re-parameterization of the Rawls and Brakenseik method specifically for sandy soils. Comparisons will be presented of water retention and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity functions among model results, across soil map units, between tillage systems, and with topsoil depth. Comparison of results among these widely differing methods would improve confidence in model accuracy and would provide a preliminary indication of the long-term effects of regional crop management practices.