Principles of Soil PhysicsPrinciples of Soil Physics examines the impact of the physical, mechanical, and hydrological properties and processes of soil on agricultural production, the environment, and sustainable use of natural resources. The text incorporates valuable assessment methods, graphs, problem sets, and tables from recent studies performed around the globe and offers an abundance of tables, photographs, and easy-to-follow equations in every chapter. The book discusses the consequences of soil degradation, such as erosion, inhibited root development, and poor aeration. It begins by defining soil physics, soil mechanics, textural properties, and packing arrangements . The text continues to discuss the theoretical and practical aspects of soil structure and explain the significance and measurement of bulk density, porosity, and compaction. The authors proceed to clarify soil hydrology topics including hydrologic cycle, water movement, infiltration, modeling, soil evaporation, and solute transport processes. They address the impact of soil temperature on crop growth, soil aeration, and the processes that lead to the emission of greenhouse gases. The final chapters examine the physical properties of gravelly soils and water movement in frozen, saline, and water-repellant soils. Reader-friendly and up-to-date, Principles of Soil Physics provides unparalleled coverage of issues related to soil physics, structure, hydrology, aeration, temperature, and analysis and presents practical techniques for maintaining soil quality to ultimately preserve its sustainability. |
Contents
Importance of Soil Physics | 1 |
Basic Definitions and Concepts Soil Components and Phases | 15 |
Soil Solids | 33 |
Soil Structure | 93 |
Porosity | 149 |
Manifestations of Soil Structure | 165 |
Soil Strength and Compaction | 189 |
Soil Rheology and Plasticity | 231 |
Freezing and Thawing Effects Swelling Soil and Other Special Problems | 625 |
The Greek Alphabet | 667 |
Mathematical Signs and Symbols | 668 |
Prefixes for SI Units | 669 |
Values of Some Numbers | 670 |
SI Derived Units and Their Abbreviations | 671 |
Unit Conversion Factors | 672 |
Unit Conversions Equivalents | 676 |
Water | 255 |
Soils Moisture Content | 287 |
Soils Moisture Potential | 321 |
Water Flow in Saturated Soils | 355 |
Water Flow in Unsaturated Soils | 379 |
Water Infiltration in Soil | 405 |
Soil Water Evaporation | 439 |
Solute Transport | 465 |
Soil Temperature and Heat Flow in Soil | 515 |
Soil Air and Aeration | 557 |
Physical Properties of Gravelly Soils | 601 |
Conversion Factors for NonSI Units | 678 |
Conversion Among Units of Soil Water Potential | 679 |
Surface Tension of Water Against Air | 680 |
Density of Water from Air | 681 |
The Viscosity of Water 0C to 100C | 682 |
Effect of Temperature of Vapor Pressure Density of Water Vapor in Saturated Air and Surface Tension of Water | 684 |
Osmotic Pressure of Solutions of Sucrose in Water at 20C | 685 |
Constant Humidity | 686 |
Some Common Algebraic Functions | 689 |
691 | |
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Common terms and phrases
adsorption aeration atmosphere available water capacity bond bulk density calculated capacity capillary cations clay minerals clay particles cm³ coefficient components concentration constant contact angle cracks crop crust Darcy's law decreases depends depth diameter diffusion dispersion distribution drainage effects energy equation erosion evaporation factors FIGURE flocculation flow flux forces fraction function Genuchten gradient gravel heat hydraulic conductivity hydraulic head increase infiltration rate liquid loam macropores matric potential measurement method Mg/m³ molecules mulch organic matter content plant pore porosity pressure ratio root saturated shrinkage soil aggregates soil air soil column soil compaction soil matrix soil moisture content soil organic matter soil particles soil physical soil profile soil properties Soil Sci soil strength soil structure soil surface soil temperature soil water soil's solid stress suction surface area swelling tensiometer texture thermal tillage unsaturated velocity volume volumetric water content water table