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K_moisture relation



Dear Josep Maria,

My understanding of the literature is that Topp's equation hasn't proven
to fit any particular soil 'exactly' but that it fits the ensemble of soil
water content and K data very well.  Some persons with whom I've discussed
this have shown me results that indicated that Topp's equation was biased
by 0.02 to 0.05 m^3/m^3 but their wave form interpretation methods were
different from what Topp used.  When they re-interpreted their data using
methods more similar to Topp's they found that Topp's equation was not
significantly different from theirs.  This issue of wave form
interpretation is critical for calibration efforts.  Most papers in the
literature do not describe the interpretation methods used in enough
detail to allow reproduction of the method, or understanding of what was
done.  Different interpretation methods can easily produce water content
differences of 0.03 m^3/m^3 or more.  And, simply citing one of Topp's
paper is hardly adequate - no single paper does this topic justice.  The
take home message is that if you want water contents accurate to better
than +/- 0.02 m^2/m^2 then do your own calibration.  That calibration will
include effects both of your particular soil type, and of your wave form
interpretation method.  If your wave form interpretations are reproducible
then your calibration should work.

In reference to fitting the data both ways; K=f(theta) and theta = f(K):
my experience is that there is little difference if the data exhibit small
scatter.  If there are important discrepancies, I would re-do the
calibration and try to get data with less scatter.  Yes, I know this isn't
always possible.

Best wishes, Steve
 
Steve Evett                    srevett@ag.gov
USDA-ARS, P.O. Drawer 10, Bushland, Texas 79012 U.S.A.
(1/2 mile W., Interstate-40 S. access road)
Tel. 806-356-5775, FAX: 806-356-5750