ISSN:
1435-0661
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
h ) or water content (θ). There is no unique relationship between θ and h because moisture relations exhibit hysteresis. For convenience microbial activity has usually been related to the main drying curve but in general this will lead to bias in computer models that aim to simulate microbial activity. This article aims to evaluate the magnitude of the bias resulting from the use of computer simulation models of mineralization coupled to a model that follows the hysteresis of water relations in soil. Simulations of mineralization were found to accumulate a bias of more than 15% of the mean annual mineralization by harvest. This bias was found to be most serious where soil is continually subject to severe wetting and drying cycles such as can be found in irrigated and tropical agriculture.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
Permalink