Screening of soil amendments for efficient water holding capacity based on a rainfall-infiltration model in a vertisol

Not AvailableSand can be used for increasing water intake capacity and reduce dispersion ratio in a Vertisol. A study was conducted at Bellary, India with amended soil with 12 sand and soil mixtures ranging from 0:1 to 1:1 ratio on weight basis. The analysis indicated significant decrease of available water; plastic and liquid limits; dispersion ratio; available N, P and K; and increase in bulk density with increase of sand in mixture. The increase in hydraulic conductivity was below 1.0 cm/hr upto 0.4:1 ratio and increased significantly to 3.63 cm/hr with increase in sand. The changes were assessed based on a regression model of soil and sand ratios. Each parameter was assessed using weighted scores based on linear scoring method. The sum of scores indicated that 0.4:1 of sand and soil was superior for different parameters. The ratio was also superior for retaining soil moisture for a longer period in Vertisols.Not Availabl