SOIL Studies

SOIL Studies

2021, Vol 10, Num, 1     (Pages: 013-022)

Evaluation of Least Limiting Water Range of Surface Soils in Apple Agricultural Areas

Pelin ALABOZ 1 ,Sinan DEMİR 1 ,Ahmet Ali IŞILDAR 1 ,Levent BAŞAYİĞİT 1

1 Isparta Uygulamalı Bilimler Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Toprak Bilimi ve Bitki Besleme Bölümü, Isparta

DOI: 10.21657/topraksu.752137
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The In recent years, it is expected that the plant obtains optimum benefit from irrigation applied to the soil since the increase of drought due to global warming and the decrease of water resources. That is why, The least limiting water range (LLWR) which is known as an index of the soil quality, draws considerable attention and is defined as the soil water content in which root development limited. In this study, LLWR values of surface soils of the orchards which intensive apple production was made in Boğazova plain, Eğirdir district Isparta province were determined. Spatial distribution of LLWR values, and relations of LLWR with some soil properties was investigated. The medium-fine texture group is dominant in the study and the SSA values of these soils varied between 6.59-19.27 %. LLWR values of soils; It showed statistically positive significant relationships with clay, organic matter and CaCO3, and negative with bulk density (P<0.05; P<0.01). The SSA distribution map created using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) spatial distribution method, the root mean square error (RMSE) was determined as 0.98 %. Soils, where LLWR is determined between 15-20 % range, are in the South of the study area and in the southwest of Eğirdir lake. LLWR is determined between 10-15 % range, were generally determined in the North where there are fine textured soils. It was determined that 80 % of these apple orchards, LLWR values were determinde at lower levels than optimum available water capacity as a result of aeration and/or compaction problems. As a result of the study, it was determined that the moisture content of the air filled pore volume is 10 % and the field capacity moisture contents are affected by the problems of aeration and compaction so that the LLWR changed significantly.


Keywords : Least limiting water range, spatial distribution, available water content, penetration resistance