Mariamma, Joseph; Dr.Babu,Jose T(Cochin University of Science & Technology, November , 2010)
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Abstract:
Soil moisture plays a cardinal role in sustaining eclological balance and
agricultural development – virtually the very existence of life on earth. Because of the
growing shortage of water resources, we have to use the available water most efficiently
by proper management. Better utilization of rainfall or irrigation management depends
largely on the water retention characteristics of the soil.Soil water retention is essential to life and it provides an ongoing supply of water
to plants between periods of irrigation so as to allow their continued growth and
survival.It is essential to maintain readily available water in the soil if crops are to sustain
satisfactory growth. The plant growth may be retarded if the soil moisture is either
deficient or excessive. The optimum moisture content is that moisture which leads to
optimum growth of plant. When watering is done, the amount of water supplied should
be such that the water content is equal to the field capacity that is the water remained in
the saturated soil after gravitational drainage. Water will gradually be utilized
consumptively by plants after the water application, and the soil moisture will start
falling. When the water content in the soil reaches the value known as permanent
wilting point (when the plant starts wilting) fresh dose of irrigation may be done so that
water content is again raised to the field capacity of soil.Soil differ themselves in some or all the properties depending on the difference
in the geotechnical and environmental factors. Soils serve as a reservoir of the nutrients
and water required for crops.Study of soil and its water holding capacity is essential for the efficient
utilization of irrigation water. Hence the identification of the geotechnical parameters
which influence the water retention capacity, chemical properties which influence the
nutrients and the method to improve these properties have vital importance in irrigation
/ agricultural engineering. An attempt in this direction has been made in this study by
conducting the required tests on different types of soil samples collected from various
locations in Trivandrum district Kerala, with and without admixtures like coir pith,
coir pith compost and vermi compost. Evaluation of the results are presented and a
design procedure has been proposed for a better irrigation scheduling and management.
Description:
Division of Civil Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology