HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dreibelbis, F. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Dreibelbis, F. R. Agricola Articles by Dreibelbis, F. R.

Soil Type and Land Use Effects on Percolation of Soil Water through Monolith Lysimeters

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a summary of data on percolation of soil water through monolith lysimeters with an 8-foot profile covering the period 1938 to 1953. The effects of soil type and land use on percolation are stressed.

Soil type influences amounts and rates of percolation. The Muskingum soils, because of their lighter texture, provide greater opportunity for more rapid soil water movement which is reflected in greater amounts and more rapid rates of percolation than on the heavier Keene soils except under the circumstances noted. When all the lysimeters were in grass, the average annual percolation amounted to 16.0 inches on Muskingum silt loam (sandstone); 9.85 inches on Muskingum silt loam (shale); and 8.26 inches on the Keene silt loam. From 83% to 92% of the total annual percolation is obtained during the first 6 months of the year.

The expression of annual percolation in terms of percent of annual precipitation minus runoff affords a better comparison of land use effects on percolation. In general, percolation is lowest under corn and wheat and highest under first-year meadow.

Soil conservation practices involving greater crop production have resulted in an appreciable decrease in percolation. This is due largely to the better vegetative cover and growth which removes more water by transpiration thereby leaving a lesser amount of soil water available for percolation.

² Soil Scientist. Grateful acknowledgment is made to William W. Bentz, Agricultural Aid, for valuable assistance given in compiling the lysimeter records.

Received for publication May 26, 1954.