<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Soil water repellency causes at least temporal changes in the hydrological properties of a soil which result in, among other things, suboptimal growing conditions and increased irrigation requirements. Water repellency in soil is more widespread than previously thought and has been identified in many soil types under a wide array of climatic conditions worldwide. Consequences of soil water repellency include loss of wettability, increased runoff and preferential flow, reduced access to water for plants, reduced irrigation efficiency, increased requirement for water and other inputs, and increased potential for non-point source pollution. Research indicates that certain soil surfactants can be used to manage soil water repellency by modifying the flow dynamics of water and restoring soil wettability. This results in improved hydrological behavior of those soils. Consequently, the plant growth environment is also improved and significant water conservation is possible through more efficient functioning of the soil.</p></abstract>

Soil water repellency causes at least temporal changes in the hydrological properties of a soil which result in, among other things, suboptimal growing conditions and increased irrigation requirements. Water repellency in soil is more widespread than previously thought and has been identified in many soil types under a wide array of climatic conditions worldwide. Consequences of soil water repellency include loss of wettability, increased runoff and preferential flow, reduced access to water for plants, reduced irrigation efficiency, increased requirement for water and other inputs, and increased potential for non-point source pollution. Research indicates that certain soil surfactants can be used to manage soil water repellency by modifying the flow dynamics of water and restoring soil wettability. This results in improved hydrological behavior of those soils. Consequently, the plant growth environment is also improved and significant water conservation is possible through more efficient functioning of the soil.

The effect of soil surfactants on soil hydrological behavior, the plant growth environment, irrigation efficiency and water conservation

Aquatrols, 1273 Imperial Way, Paulsboro, NJ 08066 USA

Alterra Soil Research Center, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands

University of Wageningen, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

Soil water repellency causes at least temporal changes in the hydrological properties of a soil which result in, among other things, suboptimal growing...

The effect of soil surfactants on soil hydrological behavior, the plant growth environment, irrigation efficiency and water conservation

Publié en ligne: 26 août 2010

Pages: 142 - 148

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10098-010-0013-1

Mots clés
vodoodpudivosť pôdy, efektívnosť závlahy, povrchovo aktívne látky, preferované prúdenie, retencia pôdy

This content is open access.

The effect of soil surfactants on soil hydrological behavior, the plant growth environment, irrigation efficiency and water conservation

Publié en ligne: 26 août 2010

Pages: 142 - 148

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10098-010-0013-1

Mots clésvodoodpudivosť pôdy, efektívnosť závlahy, povrchovo aktívne látky, preferované prúdenie, retencia pôdy

This content is open access.

Mots clés
vodoodpudivosť pôdy, efektívnosť závlahy, povrchovo aktívne látky, preferované prúdenie, retencia pôdy