A First Insight on the Interaction between Desiccation Cracking and Water Transfer in a Luvisol of Belgium

The present paper presents the interactions between water retention/evaporation and cracking during desiccation of intact disturbed Belgian Luvisol. (DS) undisturbed (NDS) samples (reduced-tillage-residue-in (RTRI) conventional-tillage-residue-out (CTRO)) were collected from an agricultural field in Gembloux, Wallonia, Belgium. drying experiment took place controlled laboratory conditions at 25 °C. Moisture content, soil suction surface cracks monitored with a precision balance, tensiometer digital camera, respectively. image processing analysis performed using PCAS® ImageJ® software. results showed that crack formation was initiated stronger negative lower content (Wc) DS > CTRO RTRI. propagation positively correlated until 300 kPa for far beyond wilting point NDS. For NDS, accelerated after reaching critical (~20% Wc) which arrived end plateau evaporation (40 h initiation). Krischer curve revealed pore size 50 µm, it is likely are important parameters permeability. structure fibre could influence dynamic drying. tillage management also influences propagation. As retention conductivity functions affected by cracks, movement fluids will be following period (i.e., when cracked rewetted).