Resumen

NISSEN M, Juan et al. Non saturated water movement in Andisols. R.C. Suelo Nutr. Veg. [online]. 2006, vol.6, n.1, pp.9-19. ISSN 0718-2791.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-27912006000100003.

The main aim of this research was to determine the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in three Andisols under two managements, forest and prairie in the Series Bramadero, Pemehue and Osorno, located in the VIIth, IXth and Xth regions of Chile, respectively. Unsaaturated hydraulic conductivity was determined in undisturbed soils a different depths using the methodology of Becher (1970), which combine the measurements of matric potential, continuity law and Darcy´s equation. Measuring the soil matric potential for about 95 days the drying process under laboratory conditions was monitored in unaltered soil profiles without water table. Similar conductivities were found in the three soils, with some exceptions by the soil managements and depth. Soils with large pores size diameter distribution (diameter 10 µm) tended to be higher in unsaturated hydraulic conductivity under low matric potential. However, this values decreased quickly in soils with coarse porosity. Hydraulic conductivity under non saturated condition in the studied Andisols at a matric potential of pF 2.5 fluctuated between 1.9 x 10-5 and 3.6 x 10-5 cm s-1 in pasture soils and between 1.4 x 10-5 and 8.1 x 10-5 cm s-1 in forest soils. A homogenous drying process took place when soils were submitted for long period of drought. The drought intensity was slightly greater in soils under pasture compared with forest soils.

Palabras clave : Non saturated hydraulic conductivity; water movement; Andisols.

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