GEOGRAPHY & CARTOGRAPHY CALCULATOR
Targetavailable Water Capacity
A precise tool.
What is the Targetavailable Water Capacity & How does it work?
The amount of water that a soil can store between field capacity and wilting point is called the **available water capacity**. It represents the portion of soil moisture that plants can actually extract for growth.
Field capacity (ΞΈfc) is the water content after excess water has drained away, while wilting point (ΞΈwp) is the moisture level at which plants can no longer extract water. The difference between these two values, multiplied by soil bulk density and the depth of the rooting zone, yields the total water that can be made available to a crop.
Understanding and quantifying this capacity helps agronomists design irrigation schedules, select appropriate crops, and assess drought risk. The calculation is straightforward once the necessary soil parameters are measured.
\text{TAWC} = (\theta_{fc} – \theta_{wp}) times \rho_{b} times Z times 10
ΞΈfc = field capacity (volβ―%); ΞΈwp = wilting point (volβ―%); Οb = bulk density (gβ―cmβ»Β³); Z = rooting depth (cm); 10 = conversion factor to obtain result inβ―mm
Parameters
Result
β
Frequently Asked Questions
What is available water capacity in soil?
Available water capacity is the amount of water that soil can hold between its field capacity and wilting point, which plants can use for growth.
How do I calculate available water capacity?
To calculate available water capacity, subtract the wilting point from the field capacity, then multiply by soil bulk density and rooting depth.
What is field capacity in soil?
Field capacity is the amount of water left in soil after excess has drained away, typically measured as the weight of water per unit weight of dry soil.
What is wilting point in soil?
Wilting point is the moisture level at which plants can no longer extract water from the soil, causing them to wilt.
Why is available water capacity important for agriculture?
Available water capacity helps farmers understand how much water their crops can access between rainfall or irrigation events, aiding in efficient water management.
How does soil bulk density affect available water capacity?
Soil bulk density affects available water capacity because it determines the volume of pores in the soil that can hold water.
What is the rooting depth in this calculation?
Rooting depth refers to how deep plant roots can penetrate into the soil, influencing the volume of soil from which plants can extract water.
Results are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice.