Differential water capacity of soils of various genesis

The differential water capacity of the main zonal soils of European Russia and Georgia is determined for the first time. This parameter in the A horizon of these soils rises in the sequence soddy-podzolic soil–gray forest soil–brown semidesert soil–chernozem–light chestnut soil–solonchak–krasnozem within the range of hygroscopic moisture and at equal total potential (or tension) of soil moisture. This is related to a rise in the content of physical clay, humus, or water-soluble salts in the soils. Close correlations are revealed between the logarithm of the absolute value of the total moisture potential (tension) and soil moisture content; between the parameters of this correlation and the specific soil surface; and between the specific soil surface and the content of physical clay in the soil.