Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Mathematical models used for quantification of the water movement in unsaturated zone of soil profile require data on hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture retention curves (MRC). These soil hydraulic properties can be measured directly using field and laboratory methods which is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, the procedures which are based on an assumed dependence of soil water content on soil characteristics (grain size, bulk density, humus, etc.) were established and are called pedotransfer functions (PTF). This paper describes the process of representative PTF development obtained using the method of multiple linear regression to determine the points of MRC from agricultural used soils of Danubian upland. The Danubian upland is a part of the Danubian hollow basin located in Slovakia (Central Europe) with an area of 6500 km2. Soil samples were taken from two depths of soil profile (15-20 cm, 40-45 cm) at 237 locations. Ten test sites were used for comparison of measured and calculated MRC. These sites were not included in the regression process. The indexes values of PTF equations at depth of 15-20 cm were MD <-0.0516 - 0.0820>; RSMD <0.0087 - 0.0876> and PTF equations at depth of 40-45 cm were MD <-0.1471 ? 0.0763>, RMSD <0.0127 - 0.1520> which shows adequate tightness of compared curves. Values of r shows significant correlation r <0.8982 - 0.9975> r <0.9051 - 0.9954> at both evaluated soil depths. Based on these results we can conclude that the calculated PTF can be used for determination of MRC for above mentioned area.

Biography

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dusan Igaz has completed his PhD at the age of 29 years at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia. He is now Head of the Department of Biometeorology and Hydrology and Vice-dean of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Faculty at the Slovak University of Agriculture. He has published more than 40 papers in scientific journals, books and contributions.