Prediction of the moisture holding characteristics of Queensland soils- a preliminary study

Abstract

A method of predicting moisture retention characteristics from a simply measured soil property is required for the estimation of available water and potential moisture storage under fallow. In this study, the relationship between clay percentage and two important
soil water potentials is studied for a range of Queensland soils. A highly significant linear correlation is obtained between clay percentage and the 15 atmosphere moisture percentage. The accuracy of prediction of the 15 atmosphere percentage is improved if soils are divided into groups on the basis of clay mineralogy.