Effect of Combined Application of Mineral Fertilizer in Soil Hydraulic Properties

Abstract

The effects of compost, bentonite, and manure as soil amendments on soil hydraulic properties and improving water availability from saturation to oven dryness were investigated. The soil amendments were mixed with sand dune soil and compared with untreated soil (U) and reference soil (Chott Djerid soil). Two methods, hyprop and WP4 dew point potentiometer, were used to measure the whole range of soil hydraulic properties from saturation to oven dryness. The hyprop and WP4 results also exhibited that soil amendments increased the soil water content of the amended soils at low matric potentials. The results of soil water retention curves revealed that control retained less water at any matric potential compared to the amended soils. The soil water retention increased with the increase of soil amendments amount. The particle size distribution changed with the addition of bentonite. These results suggested that the soil amendments improved the soil water retentively which confirmed the appropriateness of these soil amendments for potential use in sandy soils improvements.