Water and soils

Soil constantly wets and dries in response to numerous factors, such as rainfall, evaporation and plant transpiration. It’s crucial to understand how water affects soil and crops.

The main soil water flows and stores

The soil pore network is important to maintain good soil structure, to allow for water infiltration and drainage. 

Soil is rarely at the same moisture state across all its layers. Water moves relatively slowly through clay soils, clay layers and compacted layers.

Improving soil health, in particular organic matter content, can maximise the benefit from the supply of water from irrigation and rainfall by increasing infiltration rates and water-holding capacity. 

If you would like to order a hard copy of Principles of soil management, please use our online order form or call 0247 799 0069.