Precipitation preventing a deficit of readily available soilwater in arable soils in Poland

Abstract

Plants grown in arable soils mainly use rainwater stored in the soil at matric potential between -10 kPa and -100 kPa, which corresponds to the readily available soil water (RASW). RASW in the 100-cm soil layer of Polish arable soils is relatively low and ranges from about 12 mm in mountain clay soils up to 75 mm in black earths, which, at an average daily evapotranspiration of 3.8 mm·day-1 and spatio-temporal variability of precipitation, determines water scarcity of crop plants. The aim of the study is to estimate the values and the frequency of critical rainfall which ensures that soil water is kept in the range of readily available to plants and prevents water shortages for plants in arable soils. In order to meet this condition, the decade (10-day) sums of this precipitation, included in the ranges 16-27, 22-31, 26-35 and 33-39 mm, occur in 20.8, 13.4, 11.3 and 5.9%, respectively, of the decades of the vegetation period (April to September). Maps of critical rainfall spatial diversity in the background of the actual soil cover in Poland were generated. They may be useful for preliminary, estimated operational planning of irrigation needs.