Soil Hydrology Overview

This data reflects both the quality of the soil structure, the amount of water available for growth and the ease by which these soils are able to be irrigated. The data indicates how much water is available for vigorous tree and fruit growth, as well as how much water is available for tree maintenance and survival. This data can also be used to better schedule irrigation, and compare irrigation requirements between soils.

The surface soil horizon the A1 is somewhat unusual in that it shows signs of moderate to high compaction, yet has excellent water retention properties. Compaction and poor structure is indicated by the high to very high bulk density at 1.48 g/cm³ in the A1 horizon, and low hydraulic conductivity at only 38 mm/hr. Yet despite this compaction, the A1 horizon has an ideal level of drainable macroporosity at 10.8 % which should ensure excellent conditions for root function, and a reasonable amount of readily available soil water at 12.4 %or 26 mm, and tightly held soil moisture at 14.2 % or 29.7 mm. the amount of unavailable soil moisture at 6.2% is remarkably low. The A2 horizon has even higher bulk density at 1.55 g/cm³ and a lower saturated hydraulic conductivity at only 0.32 mm/hr. yet the A2 horizon has better soil water retention properties than the A1 horizon, with 13.6 % or 21.8 mm readily available soil moisture. The hydraulic properties of the two B2 horizons are very different to the two A horizons. Most moisture in the B2 horizons is not available for plant use with only 3.4 % and 3.5 % readily available soil moisture, and 6.4 % and 7.0 % tightly held moisture.