Measurements of total ana matric suctions of soil water using thermocouple psychrometer and pressure membrane apparatus.
Abstract
The fitted lines relating total and matric suctions to water content of a coarse sandy loam were significantly different but nevertheless very similar. Only in one experiment at large water contents were differences demonstrated between matric and total water suctions and here the latter was the greater by approx. 0.3 atm; it is suggested that this was the value of the osmotic suction of the soil water. Both techniques were accurate and much of the error involved was associated with sample variation and sample treatment.