http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/blog/2010/02/an-holistic-approach-to-drought-mitigation/ Sustainable Farming Articles and Information on Human and Animal Health. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:12:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/blog/2010/02/an-holistic-approach-to-drought-mitigation/comment-page-1/#comment-12969 Philippa Davis Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:56:29 +0000 http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/blog/?p=1000#comment-12969 An increase in water holding capacity of 82 000 L/ha is based on an increase in organic carbon by 1% in the top 15 cm (6 inches). This is assuming a soil bulk density of 1.2 grams/cm3 (the majority of Australian topsoils have bulk densities in the range 1.2 to 1.8 grams/cm3). It also assumes that one part of soil organic carbon can retain four parts of soil water (Morris, 2004). This is actually a conservative estimate as some studies have shown that organic carbon can hold up to 7 times its own weight in water. Obviously, the exact value will vary depending on soil properties however it illustrates the importance of carbon sequestration in regards to improving drought resistance. An increase in water holding capacity of 82 000 L/ha is based on an increase in organic carbon by 1% in the top 15 cm (6 inches). This is assuming a soil bulk density of 1.2 grams/cm3 (the majority of Australian topsoils have bulk densities in the range 1.2 to 1.8 grams/cm3). It also assumes that one part of soil organic carbon can retain four parts of soil water (Morris, 2004). This is actually a conservative estimate as some studies have shown that organic carbon can hold up to 7 times its own weight in water. Obviously, the exact value will vary depending on soil properties however it illustrates the importance of carbon sequestration in regards to improving drought resistance.

]]> http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/blog/2010/02/an-holistic-approach-to-drought-mitigation/comment-page-1/#comment-12676 Jean Kotze Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:43:12 +0000 http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/blog/?p=1000#comment-12676 If you make the statement of 82000L per ha for every 1% of organic, what depth are you working on? If you make the statement of 82000L per ha for every 1% of organic, what depth are you working on?

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