Root elongation in drying soil is generally limited by a combination of mechanical impedance and water stress. Relationships between root elongation rate, water stress (matric potential), and mechanical impedance (penetration resistance) are reviewed, detailing the interactions between these closely related stresses. Root elongation is typically halved in repacked soils with penetrometer resist...

Water dripping into subterranean cavities within fractured porous media is studied in order to improve estimates of dripping rates, drop sizes, and chemical composition of droplets that could affect long-term integrity of waste disposal canisters placed in caverns. Steady state liquid flux in fracture surfaces supported by flow in partially liquid-filled grooves and liquid films in adjacent pla...

Aim of this paper is to review and compare different business process modeling techniques, reveal their capabilities and use a combination of their elements to create a model of applicable simulation solution that is easy to understand on the one hand but enables integration of innovative complex dynamics on the other hand. We develop a simulation solution proposal that is based on three layers...

In the content of this study, non-linear consolidation behavior of unsaturated soils was investigated. In this respect a non linear differential equation for consolidation has been proposed. This proposed differential equation and its solutions enlighten both the diffusive characteristics and the time rate of settlement of soils. Besides, this study also enables to perform the matric suction ca...

Soil moisture sensors can help to reduce the amount of water needed for irrigation. In this paper we describe the PlantCare soil moisture sensor as a new type of heat dissipation sensor, its calibration and the correction for temperature changes. With the PlantCare sensor it is possible to measure the matric potential indirectly to monitor or control irrigation. This sensor is based on thermal ...

Using a novel experimental system that allows control of the matric potential of an agar slab, we explored the hydration conditions under which swarming motility is possible. If there is recognition that this physical parameter is a key determinant of swarming, it is usually neither controlled nor measured rigorously but only manipulated through proxies, namely, the agar concentration and the d...

Water scarcity and salinity are important limitations for saffron (Crocus sativus L.) production in arid and semi-arid regions. The purpose of this research was to study the interaction effects of water salinity and deficit irrigation on the macroscopic water extraction model for saffron. The effect of salinity and water stress on root-water uptake coefficient was determined by additive and mul...

Developing correlations between various soil parameters are considered the major challenge to diminish time and cost associated with field measurements. Soil hydraulic and physical properties were extensively characterized using tension disc infiltrometer and soil sampling in a silty clay agricultural field in Kalaat El-Andalous, Tunisia. Tension disc infiltrometer experiments were conducted at...