Redistribution of water following precipitation on previously dry sandy soils

Abstract

Theoretical and experimental evidence is provided to show that the redistribution of a given amount of water some days after infiltration into a previously dry soil can be predicted, provided that the relationship between soil water potential and soil water content is known. The capillary potential at the wetting front during infiltration into the dry soil is also required. In sandy soils an increase in amount of applied water leads to a decrease in the soil moisture content at the soil surface. This change in 'field capacity' as a function of applied water is shown to strongly influence seedling emergence.