Refining the Definition of Field Capacity in the Literature
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 124, Issue 4
Abstract
The normalized water content calculated with the simple algebraic equation Θfc= (qfc/Ks)1/n, where qfc= 0.05 mm/day and Ks= hydraulic conductivity, can be used to estimate field capacity. The water content calculated with this relationship is close to the water content at 1/3 bar matric potential for all soils. It is suggested that the concept of “field capacity” be refined by relating it to the mobility of soil moisture (drainage flux). Field capacity should not be characterized solely by a particular drainage time, because the time to reach field capacity depends on soil properties, but also on the initial water content and water depth in the soil.
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References
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Brooks, R. H., and Corey, A. T. (1964). “Hydraulic properties of porous media.”Hydro. Paper No. 3, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.
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Colman, E. A.(1947). “A laboratory procedure for determining the field capacity of soils.”Soil Sci., 63, 277.
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Linsley, R. K., and Franzini, J. B. (1972). Water resources engineering. McGraw-Hill Inc., New York, N.Y.
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Rawls, W. J., and Brakensiek, D. L. (1989). “Estimation of soil water retention and hydraulic properties.”Unsaturated flow in hydrologic modeling, theory and practice, H. J. Morel-Seytoux, ed., Kluwer Academic Publishers, Norwell, Mass.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 124 • Issue 4 • July 1998
Pages: 230 - 232
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jul 1, 1998
Published in print: Jul 1998
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