cial neural networks have become a common tool for modeling complex “input–output” dependencies. In the past, neural network models have been used as a special class of pedotransfer functions (PTFs) using feed-forward back propagation or radial basis functions to approximate any continuous (nonlinear) function (Hecht-Nielsen, 1990; Pachepsky et al., 1996; Schaap and Bouten, 1996; Minasny and Mc...

Many aspects of plant water use -- particularly in response to soil drought -- may have as their basis the alteration of hydraulic conductance from soil to canopy. The regulation of plant water potential (Psi) by stomatal control and leaf area adjustment may be necessary to maximize water uptake on the one hand, while avoiding loss of hydraulic contact with the soil water on the other. Modellin...

The hydraulic properties, such as hydraulic conductivity and water retention, of aged diesel-contaminated and bioremediated soils were examined and implications of the hydraulic properties for assessing bioremediation performance of soils were proposed. Bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soil was performed over 80 d using three treatments; (I) no nutrient added, column-packed soil, (II) nutr...

Understanding the dynamics of water distribution in soil is crucial for enhancing our knowledge of managing soil and water resources. The application of X-ray computed tomography (CT) to the plant and soil sciences is now well established. However, few studies have utilized the technique for visualizing water in soil pore spaces. Here this method is utilized to visualize the water in soil in si...

The concept of root contact hypothesizes that the absorbing roots grown in sandy soil are only partially effective in water uptake. Co-ordination of water supply and demand in the plant requires that the capacity for water uptake from the soil should correspond to an operational rate of water loss from the leaves. To examine how the plant hydraulic system responds to variations in soil texture ...

The desiccation of upper soil horizons is a common phenomenon, leading to a decrease in soil microbial activity and mineralization. Recent studies have shown that fungal communities and fungal-based food webs are less sensitive and better adapted to soil desiccation than bacterial-based food webs. One reason for a better fungal adaptation to soil desiccation may be hydraulic redistribution of w...

Soil absorption systems (SAS) are used commonly to treat and disperse septic tank effluent (STE). SAS can hydraulically fail as a result of the low permeable biomat zone that develops on the infiltrative surface. The objectives of this experiment were to compare the hydraulic properties of biomats grown in soils of different textures, to investigate the long-term acceptance rates (LTAR) from pr...

Most field soils exhibit soil spatial variability as well as soil structure. The challenge is to account adequately for both types of spatial heterogeneity in simulation models. A numerical finite element code was used to compare singleand dual-permeability approaches for modeling variably saturated flow and transport in two-dimensional heterogeneous soil systems. The code was based on the Rich...

Irrigation with distillery effluent, besides influencing crop yield, may have considerable impact on physical properties of soil because of its high salt and organic carbon contents. This experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effect of distillery effluent on hydraulic conductivity of a sandy loam alluvial soil and compare the effect of inorganic salts of potassium (K) with that of di...

Keywords: Groundwater seepage Pedotransfer function ROSETTA Seepage erosion Uncertainty analysis s u m m a r y Research has suggested that streambank seepage can be an important mechanism of bank instability; however, limited information is available on the level of soil characterization necessary to accurately predict seepage gradient forces and erosion. The objective of this research was to q...