THE INFLUENCE OF TEXTURE ON THE MOISTURE CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS

Summary The available‐water capacity of the top 2 ft of twenty‐seven soils of different texture has been determined, together with the moisture release characteristics of twenty of the soils. The moisture contents at field capacity and at the permanent wilting point increased as the soils became finer in texture but the medium‐textured soils held the greatest volume of available‐water. The available‐water capacities of the soils ranged from 0.77 in./ft depth in a sand to 3.12 in./ft in a silt loam and 3.13 in./ft in a peat. Clay soils held approximately 1.95 in./ft. The effects of soil texture and other factors affecting the available‐water capacities and moisture release characteristics of soils are discussed.