Monday, November 5, 2007
29-1

Modeling Water Uptake by Turfgrass for a USGA Root Zone Modified with Inorganic Amendments.

Leonard Githinji, Jacob H. Dane, and Robert H. Walker. Auburn University, Auburn University, 285 Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-5412

Water uptake by roots plays an important physiological role in crop growth. Through water uptake by roots, translocation and eventual transpiration, crop temperature is regulated and water and chemicals, including nutrients move into the soil-water-plant system. The objective of this study was to model water movement with water uptake by plant roots for a USGA sand-based root zone modified with inorganic amendments (15% amendment with 85% sand by volume). These amendments were calcined diatomaceous earth (Axis, Isolite), zeolites (Clinolite, Ecolite), and calcined clays (Moltan Plus, Profile, and Pro's Choice). The numerical model HYDRUS-1D was applied to simulate soil water movement with water uptake by plant roots for scenarios with and without amendment incorporation. The simulation results showed reduced surface dryness, higher volumetric water content and storage, as well as higher initial water uptake rate for the root zones modified with amendments. The highest simulated water storage was observed for root zones modified with calcined diatomaceous earths, with Axis amendment showing the best properties.

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