Principles of soil and plant water relations / M.B. Kirkham.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Print version record.

Definitions of physical units and the international system -- Structure and properties of water -- Tensiometers -- Soil-water terminology and applications -- Static water in soil -- Water Movement in saturated soil -- Field capacity, wilting point, available water, and the nonlimiting water range -- Penetrometer measurements -- Measurement of oxygen diffusion rate -- Infiltration -- Pore volume -- Time domain reflectometry to measure volumetric soil water content -- Root anatomy and Poiseuille's law for water flow in roots -- Gardner's equation for water movement to plant roots -- Measurement of water potential with thermocouple psychrometers -- Measurement of water potential with pressure chambers -- Stem anatomy and measurement of osmotic potential and turgor potential using pressure-volume curves -- The ascent of water in plants -- Electrical analogues for water movement through the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum -- Leaf anatomy and leaf elasticity -- Stomata and measurement of stomatal resistance -- Solar radiation, black bodies, heat budget, and radiation balance -- Measurement of canopy temperature with infrared thermometers -- Stress-degree-day concept and crop-water-stress index -- Potential evapotranspiration -- Water and yield.

Principles of Soil and Plant Water Relations combines biology and physics to show how water moves through the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. This text explores the instrumentation and the methods used to measure the status of water in soil and plants. The basic methods of tensiometry, pyschrometry, stomatal porometry, as well as newer methods of tension infiltrometry; time domain reflectometry are examined. Principles are clearly presented with the aid of diagrams, anatomical figures, and images of instrumentation. An added feature includes short biographies of important scientists at the end of each chapter. Intended for graduate students in plant and soil science programs, this book also serves as a useful reference for agronomists, plant ecologists, and agricultural engineers * Principles are presented in an easy-to-understand style * Heavily illustrated with more than 200 figures; diagrams are professionally drawn * Anatomical figures show root, stem, leaf, and stomata * Figures of instruments show how they work * Book is carefully referenced, giving sources for all information * Struggles and accomplishments of scientists who developed the theories are given in short biographies.

eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - Worldwide