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Title: ESTIMATING WATER RETENTION FROM SOIL PROFILE DESCRIPTIONS

Author
item SOBECKI, T - USDA-NRCS
item RAWLS, WALTER
item Pachepsky, Yakov
item REINSCH, T - USDA-NRCS
item LIN, H - UNIV. OF WI-STEVENS POINT

Submitted to: Abstract of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2000
Publication Date: 10/20/2000
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Using NRCS's national soil database we developed procedures for predicting water retention at -33 kPa and -1500 kPa matric potential based on soil survey qualitative profile descriptions. The qualitative information used was USDA soil texture classes determined in the field, structure grade, size and shape classes, dry and moist consistency classes and stickness and dplasticity classes which are reliably estimated in the field and are part of every soils description. Regression tree analysis was used to determine the most important properties and in what combinations they were important. Texture classes were the most important in describing water retention at -33 kPa and -1500 kPa matric potential. In addition to texture classes structure grade and stickness classes were most important to predict water retention at -1500 kPa matric potential while plasticity, stickness structure grade and structure shape classes were most important to predict water retention at -33 kPa matric potential. Field determined clay classes which are not normally included in soil survey profile descriptions was tested and proved very significant in predicting water retention at -1500 kPa matric potential