Some results of field determinations of the moisture content of soil from thermal conductivity measurements.

Abstract

The soil-moisture content at 4-I6-cm depth is compared with precipitation and potential evapotranspiration for periods of one month. During May the moisture contents fluctuated under the influence of frequent rainfall. From the end of May evapotranspiration exceeded precipitation and, during the dry months June and July, rainfall affected only the measurements at 4-cmdepth; moisture contents at 8 and I6 cm became constant after initial drying. During August, rainfall exceeded evapotranspiration and there was a general increase in moisture content. Diurnal variation in moisture content is shown in graphs. For accurate determinations of soil-moisture content from thermal conductivity measurements sandy soils are more suitable than clay soils. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)