Unsaturated Root Zone Soil Moisture Dynamics

Most of the root water uptake processes take place when the soil is in an unsaturated state. The process of water transport within an unsaturated root zone is a complex phenomenon and is controlled by soil properties, plant characteristics and meteorological parameters. The soil moisture dynamics in the unsaturated zone is modelled using Richard¿s equation, which is highly non-linear in nature. The analytical solution of the equation is generally not feasible and therefore numerical approximations are used to obtain the solution. This book presents the development, validation and evaluation of a numerical model for predicting soil moisture dynamics in the unsaturated zone for different upper and lower boundary conditions. The book also describes the different field and laboratory experimental procedures pertaining to soil hydraulics and irrigation hydrology.