Published 1986

METHODS OF SOIL ANALYSIS

Part 1, Second Edition
 AGRONOMY
A Series of Monographs
The American Society of Agronomy and Academic Press published the first six books in
this series. The General Editor of Monographs 1 to 6 was A. G. Norman. They are available
through Academic Press, Inc., 111 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003.
1. C. EDMUND MARSHALL: The Colloid Chemical of the Silicate Minerals. 1949
2. BYRON T. SHAW, Editor: Soil Physical Conditions and Plant Growth. 1952
3. K. D. JACOB, Editor: Fertilizer Technology and Resources in the United States. 1953
4. W. H. PIERRE and A. G. NORMAN, Editors: Soil and Fertilizer Phosphate in Crop Nutri-
tion. 1953
5. GEORGE F. SPRAGUE, Editor: Corn and Corn Improvement. 1955
6. 1. LEVITT: The Hardiness of Plants. 1956
The Monographs published since 1957 are available from the American Society of Agronomy,
677 S. Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53711.
7. JAMES N. LUTHIN, Editor: Drainage of Agricultural Lands. 1957
8. FRANKLIN A. COFFMAN, Editor: Oats and Oat Improvement. 1961
9. A. KLUTE, Editor: Methods of Soil Analysis. 1986
Part I-Physical and Mineralogical Methods. Second Edition.
A. L. PAGE, R. H. MILLER, and D. R. KEENEY, Editor: Methods of Soil Analysis. 1982
Part 2-Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Second Edition.
10. W. V. BARTHOLOMEW and F. E. CLARK, Editors: Soil Nitrogen. 1965
(Out of print; replaced by no. 22)
11. R. M. HAGAN, H. R. HAISE, and T. W. EDMINSTER, Editors: Irrigation of Agricul-
tural Lands. 1967
12. FRED ADAMS, Editor: Soil Acidity and Liming. Second Edition. 1984
13. E. G. HEYNE, Editor: Wheat and Wheat Improvement. Second Edition. 1987
14. A. A. HANSON and F. V. JUSKA, Editors: Turfgrass Science. 1969
15. CLARENCE H. HANSON, Editor: Alfalfa Science and Technology. 1972
16. 1. R. WILCOX, Editor: Soybeans: Improvement, Production, and Uses. Second Edition.
1987
17. JAN VAN SCHILFGAARDE, Editor: Drainage for Agriculture. 1974
18. G. F. SPRAGUE and J. W. DUDLEY, Editors: Corn and Corn Improvement, Third Edi-
tion. 1988
19. JACK F. CARTER, Editor: Sunflower Science and Technology. 1978
20. ROBERT C. BUCKNER and L. P. BUSH, Editors: Tall Fescue. 1979
21. M. T. BEATTY, G. W. PETERSEN, and L. D. SWINDALE, Editors: Planning the Uses
and Management of Land. 1979
22. F. J. STEVENSON, Editor: Nitrogen in Agricultural Soils. 1982
23. H. E. DREGNE and W. O. WILLIS, Editors: Dryland Agriculture. 1983
24. R. J. KOHEL and C. F. LEWIS, Editors: Cotton. 1984
25. N. L. TAYLOR, Editor: Clover Science and Technology. 1985
26. D. C. RASMUSSON, Editor: Barley. 1985
27. M. A. TABATABAI, Editor: Sulfur in Agriculture. 1986
28. R. A. OLSON and K. J. FREY, Editors: Nutritional Quality of Cereal Grains: Genetic
and Agronomic Improvement. 1987
29. A. A. HANSON, D. K. BARNES, and R. R. HILL, JR., Editors: Alfalfa and Alfalfa
Improvement. 1988
30. B. A. STEWART and D. R. NIELSEN, Editors: Irrigation of Agricultural Crops. 1990
31. JOHN HANKS and J. T. RITCHIE, Editors: Modeling Plant and Soil Systems, 1991
32. D. V. WADDINGTON, R. N. CARROW, and R. C. SHEARMAN, Editors: Turfgrass, 1992
33. H. G. MARSHALL and M. E. SORRELLS, Editors: Oat Science and Technology, 1992

4/28/92
 METHODS OF
SOIL ANALYSIS
Part 1
Physical and Mineralogical Methods
Second Edition
Arnold Klute, Editor

Editorial Committee
G. S. Campbell D. R. Nielsen
R. D. Jackson A. Klute, chair
M. M. Mortland

Senior Managing Editor: RICHARD C. DINAUER

Editor-in-Chief ASA Publications: DWAYNE R. BUXTON
Editor-in-Chief SSSA Publications: JOHN J. MORTVEDT

Number 9 (Part 1) in the series

AGRONOMY

American Society of Agronomy, Inc.

Soil Science Society of America, Inc.
Publisher
Madison, Wisconsin USA

1986
Copyright © 1986 by the American Society of Agronomy, Inc.
Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED UNDER THE U.S. COPYRIGHT LAW OF 1978 (P.L. 94-553)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. The Ameri-
can Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America assume no responsibility for
statements and opinions advanced by contributors. Trade names are sometimes mentioned in
this publication. No endorsement ofthese products by the publisher is intended, nor is any
criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.

Reprinted in 1987, 1990, 1994, 1998,2002, and 2006.

American Society of Agronomy, Inc.

Soil Science Society of America, Inc.
677 South Segoe Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53711 USA

ISBN-13: 978-0-89118-811-7
ISBN-lO: 0-89118-811-8

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

(Revised for no. 9, pt. 1)
Methods of soil analysis.
(Agronomy; no. 9)
Includes bibliographies and indexes.
Contents: pt. 1. Physical and mineralogical methods-pt. 2. Chemical and microbiological
properties.
1. Soils-Analysis-Collected works. I. Page, A.L.
(Albert Lee), 1927- . II. Miller, R.H.,
1933- . III. Keeney, Dennis R. IV. Series
S593.M4453 1982 632.4'1'0287 82-22630
ISBN 0-89118-088-5 (pt. 1)
ISBN 9-89118-072-9 (pt. 2)

Printed in the United States of America.

 CONTENTS
Page
DEDICATION . xvii
FOREWORD. XIX
PREFACE . . . XIX
CONTRIBUTORS XXI
CONVERSION FACTORS FOR SI UNITS xxv

1 Errors and Variability of Observations

OSCAR KEMPTHORNE AND R. R. ALLMARAS
1-1 Introduction.......................................... 1
1-2 Classificaton of Measurement Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1-3 Scientific Validity of Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1-4 Characterization of Variability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1-5 The Estimation of Precision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1-6 Precision of Derived Observations ....................... 17
1-7 The Roles of Bias and Precision ......................... 22
1-8 How to Study Errors of Observation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
1-9 Role of Errors of Observation in the Study of Relationships .. 26
1-10 A Note on Terminology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
1-11 Statistical Problems and Techniques in General. . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
1-12 References ........................................... 30

2 Sampling
R. G. PETERSEN AND L. D. CALVIN
2-1 Introduction.......................................... 33
2-2 Variation of Soils. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2-3 Sampling Plans ....................................... 35
2-4 Sources of Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
2-5 Subsampling.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
2-6 Composite Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
2-7 References ........................................... 50

3 Geostatistical Methods Applied to Soil Science

A. W. WARRICK, D. E. MYERS, AND D. R. NIELSEN
3-1 Introduction.......................................... 53
3-2 Quantification of Spatial Interdependence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
3-3 Punctual Kriging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
3-4 Block Kriging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
3-5 Sampling Strategies for Specified Estimation Error .......... 72
3-6 Further Application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
3-7 Discussion ........................................... 79
3-8 References ........................................... 80
v
vi CONTENTS

4 Extraneous Values
W. J. DIXON
4-1 Introduction.......................................... 83
4-2 The Problem of Estimation (Use of the Median and Range) .. 84
4-3 Confidence Limits as Estimates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
4-4 The Problem of Designating Extraneous Values. . . .. . . . . .. . . 87
4-5 Recommended Rules for Designating Extraneous Values... . . 88
4-6 Recommended Rules for Estimation in the Presence of Extra- 89
neous Values ........................................ .
4-7 Test of Hypotheses (Trimmed and Winsorized t- Tests) . . . . . . . 89
4-8 References ........................................... 90

5 Pretreatment for Mineralogical Analysis

G. W. KUNZE AND J. B. DIXON
5-1 General Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
5-2 Removal of Soluble Salts and Carbonates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
5-3 Removal of Organic Matter ............................. 95
5-4 Removal of Free Iron Oxides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
5-5 Particle-size Separations ................................ 99
5-6 References ........................................... 99

6 Oxides, Hydroxides, and Aluminosilicates

MARION L. JACKSON, CHIN H. LIM, AND LUCIAN W. ZELAZNY
6-1 Introduction.......................................... 101
6-2 Quartz and Feldspars .................................. 104
6-3 Noncrystalline Aluminosilicates and Hydrous Oxides by Acid 113
Ammonium Oxalate in the Dark ........................ .
6-4 Free Iron-Aluminum Oxides and Hydroxides .............. 118
6-5 Poorly Crystalline Aluminosilicates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 124
6-6 Smectite, Vermiculite, and CEC Hysteresis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 131
6-7 Rutile and Anatase .................................... 138
6-8 References ........................................... 142

7 Thermal Analysis Techniques

K. H. TAN, B. F. HAJEK, AND I. BARSHAD
7-1 Introduction.......................................... 151
7-2 Principles of Reactions and Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 152
7-3 Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 157
7-4 References ........................................... 181

8 Petrographic Microscope Techniques

JOHN G. CADY, L. P. WILDING, AND L. R. DREES
8-1 General Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 185
8-2 Grains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ·186
8-3 Thin Sections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 198
CONTENTS vii

8-4 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 211

8-5 Glossary of Micromorphology Terms ..................... 213
8-6 References ........................................... 215

9 Magnetic Methods
M. B. MC BRIDE
9-1 Introduction.......................................... 219
9-2 Magnetic Susceptibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 220
9-3 Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 234
9-4 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) ..................... 252
9-5 References ........................................... 268

10 Electron Microprobe Analysis

B. L. SAWHNEY
10-1 Introduction.......................................... 271
10-2 Principles.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 271
10-3 Instrument........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 272
10-4 Specimen Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 278
10-5 Quantitative Analysis .................................. 280
10-6 Monte Carlo Method .................................. 283
10-7 Applications in Soil Analysis ............................ 283
10-8 Reference Books ...................................... 290
10-9 References ........................................... 290

11 Infrared Spectrometry
JOE L. WHITE AND CHARLES B. ROTH
11-1 General Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 291
11-2 Principles... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 293
11-3 Sample Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 302
11-4 Functional-group and Qualitative Analysis of Organic 313
Compounds ......................................... .
11-5 Identification and Characterization of Amorphous and Crystal- 315
line Inorganic or Mineral Phases ........................ .
11-6 Quantitative Analysis .................................. 321
11-7 Spectral Data Collection and Manipulation ................ 325
11-8 References ........................................... 326

12 X-Ray Diffraction Techniques

L. D. WHITTIG AND W. R. ALLARDICE
12-1 General Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 331
12-2 Principles of X-ray Diffraction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 331
12-3 Preparation of Samples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 336
12-4 X-ray Examination of Samples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 349
12-5 Criteria For Differentiation of Phyllosilicate Species ......... 351
12-6 Qualitative Interpretation of Diffraction Patterns. . . . . . . . . . .. 354
12-7 Quantitative Interpretation of Diffraction Patterns .......... 356
12-8 References ........................................... 359
viii CONTENTS

13 Bulk Density
G. R. BLAKE AND K. H. HARTGE
13-1 General Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 363
13-2 Core Method ......................................... 364
13-3 Excavation Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 367
13-4 Clod Method.. . .. . ... . .. . .. . . . .... . .. .. . . . . ... . . . . . .. 371
13-5 Radiation Methods .................................... 373
13-6 References ........................................... 375

14 Particle Density
G. R. BLAKE AND K. H. HARTGE
14-1 Introduction.......................................... 377
14-2 Principles .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 377
14-3 Pycnometer Method. ... . . . ... . . . .. .. . . .. . . . . .. . . .. .. .. 378
14-4 Submersion Method ................................... 379
14-5 Comments ........................................... 380
14-6 References ........................................... 381

15 Particle-size Analysis
G. W. GEE AND J. W. BAUDER
15-1 Introduction.......................................... 383
15-2 Principles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 385
15-3 Sample Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 398
15-4 Pipet Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 399
15-5 Hydrometer Method ................................... 404
15-6 Other Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 408
15-7 References ........................................... 409

16 Specific Surface
D. L. CARTER, M. M. MORTLAND, AND W. D. KEMPER
16-1 Introduction.......................................... 413
16-2 Principles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 414
16-3 Method ............................................. 419
16-4 References ........................................... 422

17 Aggregate Stability and Size Distribution

W. D. KEMPER AND R. C. ROSENAU
17-1 Introduction.......................................... 425
17-2 Principles .......................................... " 427
17-3 Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 434
17-4 References ........................................... 441
CONTENTS ix

18 Porosity
R. E. DANIELSON AND P. L. SUTHERLAND
18-1 Introduction.......................................... 443
18-2 Total Porosity ........................................ 444
18-3 Pore Size Distribution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 450
18-4 References ........................................... 460

19 Penetrability
J. M. BRADFORD
19-1 Introduction.......................................... 463
19-2 Principles .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 463
19-3 Pocket Penetrometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 466
19-4 Cone Penetrometer .................................... 468
19-5 Small-diameter Friction-sleeve Cone Penetrometer .......... 472
19-6 References ........................................... 477

20 Compressibility
J. M. BRADFORD AND S. C. GUPTA
20-1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 479
20-2 Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 480
20-3 Methods ............................................ 486
20-4 References ........................................... 491

21 Water Content
WALTER H. GARDNER
21-1 General Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 493
21-2 Direct Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 495
21-3 Indirect Methods. . . ..... . ..... ..... . .. . . . ... .. . .. . .... 512
21-4 References ........................................... 541

22 Water Potential: Piezometry

R. C. REEVE
22-1 Introduction.......................................... 545
22-2 Principles .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 546
22-3 Methods of Installing Piezometers by Driving .............. 550
22-4 Method of Installing Piezometers by Jetting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 552
22-5 Method of Flushing and Testing Piezometers. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 554
22-6 Method of Measuring Water Levels in Piezometers. . . . . . . . .. 556
22-7 Method oflnstalling Tensiometers ....................... 556
22-8 Interpretation of Hydraulic-head Readings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 558
22-9 References ........................................... 560
x CONTENTS

23 Water Potential: Tepsiometry

D. K. CASSEL AND A. KLUTE
23-1 Introduction.......................................... 563
23-2 Principles ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 563
23-3 Field Tensiometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 570
23-4 Laboratory Tensiometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 587
23-5 References ........................................... 594

24 Water Potential: Thermocouple Psychrometry

STEPHEN L. RAWLINS AND GAYLON S. CAMPBELL
24-1 Introduction.......................................... 597
24-2 Principles of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 598
24-3 Methods............................................. 604
24-4 Appendix ............................................ 616
24-5 References ........................................... 617

25 Water Potential: Miscellaneous Methods

GAYLON S. CAMPBELL AND GLENDON W. GEE
25-1 Introduction.......................................... 619
25-2 Water Potential Measurements With Electrical Resistance 620
Sensors ............................................. .
25-3 Water Potential Measurement With Heat Dissipation Sensors 625
25-4 Water Potential Measurement Using the Filter Paper 628
Technique .......................................... .
25-5 Water Potential Measurement Using Vapor Equilibration .... 631
25-6 References ........................................... 632

26 Water Retention: Laboratory Methods

A.KLUTE
26-1 General Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 635
26-2 Samples ............................................. 641
26-3 Wetting Fluid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 643
26-4 Wetting of Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 643
26-5 Temperature Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 644
26-6 Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 644
26-7 Comments ........................................... 651
26-8 Other Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 657
26-9 References ........................................... 660

27 Water Retention: Field Methods

R. R. BRUCE AND R. J. LUX MOORE
27-1 Introduction.......................................... 663
27-2 Principles .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 664
27-3 Method ................................. '. . . . . . . . . . . .. 667
27-4 Data Handling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 675
27-5 Error Analysis ........................................ 680
CONTENTS xi

27-6 Spatial Heterogeneity .................................. 681

27-7 Comments ..................... " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 683
27-8 References ........................................... 684

28 Hydraulic Conductivity and Diffusivity: Laboratory Methods

A. KLUTE AND C. DIRKSEN
28-1 Introduction.......................................... 687
28-2 General Principles ................................... " 688
28-3 Samples and Test Fluid ................................ 691
28-4 Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Soils ................. 694
28-5 Conductivity and Diffusivity of Unsaturated Soils. . . . . . . . . .. 703
28-6 Alternative Methods ................................... 729
28-7 References ........................................... 732

29 Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Soils: Field Methods

A. AMOOZEGAR AND A. W. WARRICK
29-1 Introduction.......................................... 735
29-2 Shallow Water Table Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 735
29-3 Deep Water Table Methods ............................. 752
29-4 Comments ........................................... 767
29-5 References ........................................... 768

30 Hydraulic Conductivity, Diffusivity, and Sorptivity of Unsaturated Soils:

Field Methods
R. E. GREEN, L. R. AHUJA, AND S. K. CHONG
30-1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 771
30-2 Unsteady Drainage-flux Method ......................... 772
30-3 Simplified Unsteady Drainage-flux Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 780
30-4 Crust-Imposed Steady Flux Method ...................... 785
30-5 Sprinkler-imposed Steady Flux Method ................... 789
30-6 Sorptivity by Ponded Infiltration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 791
30-7 Sorptivity by Infiltration at Negative Matric Pressure . . . . . . .. 793
30-8 References ........................................... 796

31 Hydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated Soils: Prediction and Formulas

YECHEZKEL MUALEM
31-1 Introduction.......................................... 799
31-2 Theory and Computation Formulas ...................... 800
31-3 Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 819
31-4 References ........................................... 821

32 Intake Rate: Cylinder Infiltrometer

HERMAN BOUWER
32-1 Introduction.......................................... 825
32-2 Principles .......................................... " 826
xii CONTENTS
32-3 Method ............................................. 834
32-4 Comments ........................................... 840
32-5 References ........................................... 843

33 Intake Rate: Sprinkler Infiltrometer

ARTHUR E. PETERSON AND GARY D. BUBENZER
33-1 Introduction.......................................... 845
33-2 Design Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 846
33-3 Simulator Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 849
33-4 A Recommended Sprinkling Infiltration System ............ 857
33-5 Comments ........................................... 864
33-6 Conclusions .......................................... 867
33-7 References ........................................... 867

34 Intake Rate: Border and Furrow

D. C. KINCAID
34-1 Introduction.......................................... 871
34-2 The Volume Balance Advance Method. . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. .. 872
34-3 The Inflow-outflow Method ............................. 880
34-4 Recirculating Flow Method ............................. 884
34-5 References ........................................... 886

3S Evaporation from Bare Soil Measured with High Spatial Resolution

C. W. BOAST
35-1 Introduction.......................................... 889
35-2 First-stage Evaporimeter Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 891
35-3 Microlysimeter Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 893
35-4 References ........................................... 899

36 Field Capacity and Available Water Capacity

D. K. CASSEL AND D. R. NIELSEN
36-1 General Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 901
36-2 Field Capacity ........................................ 902
36-3 Container Capacity. . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . ... .. . . . .. 915
36-4 Permanent Wilting Point ............................... 918
36-5 Available Water Capacity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 922
36-6 References ........................................... 924

37 Temperature
STERLING A. TAYLOR AND RAY D. JACKSON
37-1 General Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. 927
37-2 Kinds of Thermometers Used in Soils Work ............... 928
37-3 Calibration of Thermometers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 932
37-4 Field Measurements ................................... 936
37-5 References ........................................... 939
CONTENTS xiii

38 Heat Capacity and Specific Heat

STERLING A. TAYLOR AND RAY D. JACKSON
38-1 Introduction.......................................... 941
38-2 Principles.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 941
38-3 Method.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 942
38-4 References ........................................... 944

39 Thermal Conductivity and Diffusivity

RAY D. JACKSON AND STERLING A. TAYLOR
39-1 General Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 945
39-2 General Principles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 947
39-3 Thermal Conductivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 947
39-4 Thermal Diffusivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 952
39-5 References ........................................... 955

40 Heat Flux
M.FUCHS
40-1 Introduction.......................................... 957
40-2 Calorimetric Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 958
40-3 The Gradient Method. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 961
40-4 The Combination Method .............................. 962
40-5 Soil Heat Flux Plate Method ............................ 964
40-6 Further Comments .................................... 967
40-7 References ........................................... 967

41 Heat of Immersion
D. M. ANDERSON
41-1 Introduction.......................................... 969
41-2 Principles... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 971
41-3 Method... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 976
41-4 References ........................................... 984

42 Solute Content
J. D. RHOADES AND J. D. OSTER
42-1 Introduction.......................................... 985
42-2 Collection of Soil Water Samples Using In Situ Samplers. . . .. 986
42-3 Measuring Soluble Salts With In Situ or Remote Monitors ... 990
42-4 References ........................................... 1004

43 Solute Diffusivity
W. D. KEMPER
43-1 Introduction: Solutes in Water ........................... 1007
43-2 Diffusion Concepts .................................... 1008
xiv CONTENTS
43-3 Steady-state Method ................................... 1014
43-4 Transient-state Methods ................................ 1017
43-5 Radial Transient Conditions ............................ 1021
43-6 General Comments .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1023
43-7 References ........................................... 1023

44 Solute Dispersion Coefficients and Retardation Factors

M. Th. VAN GENUCHTEN AND P. J. WIERENGA
44-1 Introduction.......................................... 1025
44-2 Theoretical Principles .................................. 1026
44-3 Experimental Principles ................................ 1036
44-4 Method I: Trial and Error .............................. 1039
44-5 Method II: From the Slope of an Effluent Curve .. . . . . . . . . .. 1040
44-6 Method III: From A Log-normal Plot of the Effluent Curve . .. 1042
44-7 Method IV: Least-square Analysis of the Effluent Curve. . . . .. 1049
44-8 Method V: From Concentration-distance Curves. . . . . . . . . . .. 1050
44-9 Other Transport Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1050
44-10 General Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1051
44-11 Appendix ............................................ 1052
44-12 References ........................................... 1053

45 Water and Solute Flux

R. J. WAGENET
45-1 General Introduction ................................... 1055
45-2 Water Flux ........................................... 1056
45-3 Solute Flux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1067
45-4 Summary ............................................ 1084
45-5 References ........................................... 1085

46 Gas Di1fusivity
D. E. ROLSTON
46-1 Introduction .......................................... 1089
46-2 Laboratory Method .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1090
46-3 Field Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1098
46-4 References ........................................... 1102

47 Gas Flux
D. E. ROLSTON
47-1 Introduction .......................................... 1103
47-2 Flux Calculated From Fick's Law ........................ 1104
47-3 Closed Chamber Method ............................... 1108
47-4 Flow-through Chamber Method .......................... 1112
47-5 Comments on Mechanisms Causing Mass Flow ............. 1117
47-6 References ........................................... 1118
CONTENTS xv

48 Air Permeability
A. T. COREY
48-1 Introduction.......................................... 1121
48-2 Principles ............................................ 1122
48-3 Methods ............................................. 1123
48-4 Limitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1135
48-5 References ........................................... 1136

49 Oxygen Electrode Measurement

C. J. PHENE
49-1 Introduction .......................................... 1137
49-2 Platinum Electrode Method ............................. 1138
49-3 Membrane Electrode Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1150
49-4 References ........................................... 1158

50 Air Pressure Measurement

H. FLUHLER, A. J. PECK, AND L. H. STOLZY
50-1 Introduction.......................................... 1161
50-2 Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1163
50-3 Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1170
50-4 References ........................................... 1171

SUBJECT INDEX ............................................. 1173

 DEDICATION
It is truly fitting that Methods of
Soil Analysis, Part 1, Second Edition,
be dedicated to Dr. Charles A. Black.
Dr. Black was editor-in-chief of the 1965
Methods of Soil Analysis, Parts 1 and
2, one of the most successful and widely
acclaimed of the Society's monograph
series. His dedicated efforts were largely
responsible for the overall high quality
of the first edition of the monograph.
It is also fitting to recognize Dr. Black
for his contributions to research and
teaching and for his current role as one
of the chief spokespersons for agricul-
ture.
Dr. Black was born 22 January
1916 in Lone Tree, Iowa. He received
B.S. degrees in chemistry and soil sci-
ence from Colorado State University in
Charles A. Black 1937, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees
in soil fertility from Iowa State Uni-
versity in 1938 and 1942.
He began his professional career as a research fellow in the Department of
Agronomy, Iowa State University in 1937, and in 1939 joined that faculty as
instructor in soils. Except for service with the U.S. Navy during World War II,
a visiting professorship at Cornell University in 1955-56, and a NSF Fellowship
at UC-Davis in 1964-65, Dr. Black has remained at Iowa State. He retired as
distinguished professor in 1979 to devote full time to his duties with the Council
for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST).
Dr. Black's research and teaching career has had a major influence on the
discipline of soil science, particularly soil fertility and soil chemistry. He has
contributed much to our knowledge of phosphate reactions in soils, uptake by
plants, and interpretation of yield curves. He is author or co-author of approx-
imately 100 research papers, has written two editions of a widely used textbook
entitled Soil-Plant Relationships, and several editions of a laboratory manual on
soil chemistry. He has also served as associate editor for the SSSA Journal; as
consulting editor for Soil Science, and as editor of more than 100 publications
issued by CAST. He has served the ASA and SSSA as a member of numerous
committees, as SSSA president in 1961, and as ASA president in 1971. He has
received numerous awards and honors, including the ASA Soil Science Award
(1957), ASA Fellow (1962), Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists (1969),
Honorary Member of SSSA (1975) and ASA (1981), AAAS Fellow (1976), the
Henry A. Wallace Award from Iowa State University for Distinguished Service
to Agriculture (1981), and the Bouyoucos Soil Science Distinguished Career Award,
SSSA (1981).
Dr. Black's critical and forthright evaluation of research findings, coupled
with a warm personality and a dry sense of humor, have made him a much
xvii
xviii FOREWORD

sought-after counselor by students and colleagues. His graduate level soil-plant

relationship courses at Iowa State were especially popular. Those privileged to
learn under Dr. Black gained the type of knowledge and philosophy which has
served them well in their varied careers.
Dr. Black's career took on a new dimension in 1970 when, largely under his
direction, CAST was developed. He was the president of CAST in 1973 and then
served as the executive vice-president of this innovative, independent association
of agricultural science societies from 1973 through April 1985. Since May 1985
he has served as executive chairman of the board of directors of CAST.
He is providing invaluable service to the community offood and agricultural
scientists through his dedicated efforts on the behalf of CAST. Through the Coun-
cil, the scientific societies and the scientists they represent, can make an input
into the development of national policies on food and agriculture by supplying
scientific information to decision makers and opinion leaders.
PREFACE xix

FOREWORD
Characterization and, hence, our understanding of soils requires that they be
precisely and reproducively analyzed or described. The parameters generated
by such analyses are needed to generalize hypotheses for differences among soils
as well as observations on the same soil under different circumstances of time
and manipulation.
Mineralogical characteristics of soils simultaneously reflect the parent ma-
terial as well as the processes which formed the soil from the geologic matrix.
Knowing and understanding the mineralogical composition provides an insight
into the behavior of soils under different temporal conditions and their usefulness
or suitability for various purposes. To a great extent, the chemical properties of
soils depend upon soil mineralogy.
The physical properties of soils, perhaps, more than the chemical properties,
determine their adaptability to cultivation for food and fiber production-the most
important use of soils on a densely populated planet. It is the physical properties
which are most prominent in determining the adaptability of soils to other civ-
ilized activities including housing, communications, and recreation.
Great strides have been made in the conception of physical and mineralogical
characteristics of soils and how they relate to each other and to chemical prop-
erties. These have been stimulated by and, in turn, have encouraged better meth-
ods of analysis. It is appropriate from time to time to record those analytical
procedures that seem best to serve the scientific community in its understanding
of soils.
The methods of analyses included in this volume provide a uniform set of
procedures which can be used by the majority of scientists and engineers working
with soil and, in that way, will improve their ability to communicate about their
observations with each other. This volume also provides a launching point from
which others might depart in an effort to refine methods and procedures or de-
velop new ones. Given our rapidly changing understanding of soils and our ability
to make new, different, and more precise measurements, it is certain that other
volumes such as this will follow.

June 1986

JOHN PESEK, president DALE M. MOSS, president

Soil Science Society of America American Society of Agronomy

PREFACE
It has been more than 20 years since the first edition of Methods of Soil
Analysis, Part 1, Physical and Mineralogical Properties was published under the
able editorship of Dr. C. A. Black. The first edition was extremely well received.
More than 13 000 copies have been sold, and sales have continued up to the
present time at more than 500 copies per year.
Since the publication of the first edition there has been substantial progress
xx PREFACE
in the development of improved physical and mineralogical measurements. The
study of transport processes in soil in relation to environmental quality concerns
has brought about an increased interest in the application of methods of physical
measurement to field situations. More emphasis has been placed on the devel-
opment of methods to cope with the inherent spatial variability of natural soils.
In addition, techniques of measurement of physical and mineralogical properties
of soils have generally been improved. Following a recommendation by the ASA
Monographs Committee, publication of the second edition of the monograph was
approved by the Executive Committee of ASA, and an editorial committee was
appointed.
Major changes have been made in the subject coverage of Part 1, as compared
to the first edition. The book consists of 50 chapters prepared by 71 authors and
coauthors. Four chapters deal with statistical subject matter, including a new
chapter on geostatistical methods applied to measurements in soils. Eight chapters
focus on various mineralogical methods, and eight chapters describe methods for
evaluation of the soil matrix and its structure. Methods for assessing the energy
status of soil water, hydraulic conductivity and diffusivity of soils, intake rate,
and water retention of soils are described in 16 chapters. There are five chapters
on methods for measurement of thermal properties of soil, four chapters on
methods for determining the concentration and flux of soil solutes, and five chap-
ters on methods for study of the soil gas phase.
Members of the editorial committee who participated in the planning and
development of the book are:
A. Klute, editor, Colorado State University, and USDA-ARS, Ft. Collins,
CO
G. S. Campbell, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
R. D. Jackson, U. S. Water Conservation Laboratory, Tempe, AZ
M. M. Mortland, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
D. R. Nielsen, University of California, Davis, CA
To the many authors, who drew from their expertise to prepare descriptions
of the many methods, I extend my thanks and appreciation. I also wish to express
my appreciation to the members of the editorial committee, and to many other
anonymous reviewers who provided their time and talents to help produce the
monograph. Mr. R. C. Dinauer, and the ASA Headquarters staff are to be given
special thanks for their diligence, and competence in handling the many me-
chanical details of production of the book.
This second edition of Part 1 is dedicated to Dr. C. A. Black in recognition
of his efforts as editor of the first edition, and its success as a publication of the
American Society of Agronomy. I and the other members of the editorial com-
mittee hope that the revised edition will be as successful, and that it will be found
useful by those who need information on physical and mineralogical methods.

April 1986 A. KLUTE, editor

Agricultural Research Service, USDA, and
Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO
 CONTRIBUTORS
Lajpat R. Ahuja Soil Physicist, Water Quality and Watershed Research Labora-
tory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agri-
culture, Durant, Oklahoma
William R. Allardice Staff Research Associate, Department of Land, Air, and Water
Resources, University of California, Davis, California
R. R. Allmaras Soil Scientist, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, St. Paul, Minnesota
A. Amoozegar Assistant Professor, Soil Science Department, North Carolina
State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
Duwayne M. Anderson Associate Provost for Research, Texas A&M University, College
Station, Texas
Isaac Barshad Soil Chemist, Soil and Plant Biology Department, University of
California, Berkeley, California
J. W. Bauder Professor of Soil Science, Cooperative Extension, Montana State
University, Bozeman, Montana
George R. Blake Professor Emeritus of Soil Physics, Soil Science Department,
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
Charles W. Boast Associate Professor of Soil Physics, Department of Agronomy,
University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
Herman Bouwer Director, U.S. Water Conservation Laboratory, Agricultural Re-
search Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Phoenix, Ari-
zona
J. M. Bradford Soil Scientist, National Soil Erosion Laboratory, Agricultural Re-
search Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Purdue Uni-
versity, West Lafayette, Indiana
R. R. Bruce Soil Scientist, Southern Piedmont Conservation Research Cen-
ter, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agricul-
ture, Watkinsville, Georgia
G. D. Bubenzer Professor, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University
of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
J. G. Cady Lecturer in Pedology, Department of Geography and Environ-
mental Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore,
Maryland
Lyle D. Calvin Professor of Statistics, Department of Statistics, Oregon State
University, Corvallis, Oregon
Gaylon S. Campbell Professor of Soils, Department of Agronomy and Soils, Wash-
ington State University, Pullman, Washington
D. L. Carter Supervisory Soil Scientist, Snake River Conservation Research
Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Ag-
riculture, Kimberly, Idaho
D. K. Cassel Professor of Soil Science, Department of Soil Science, North
Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
xxi
xxii CONTRIBUTORS

She-Kong Chong Associate Professor of Soil Physics and Hydrology, Plant and
Soil Science Department, Southern Illinois University, Carbon-
dale, Illinois. Formerly Associate Professor of Forest Hydrology,
Department of Forestry, Southern Illinois University, Carbon-
dale, Illinois
Arthur T. Corey Professor Emeritus, Department of Agricultural and Chemical
Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Robert E. Danielson Professor, Department of Agronomy, Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, Colorado
C. Dirksen Senior Scientist, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition,
Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Joe B. Dixon Professor of Soil Mineralogy, Department of Soil and Crop Sci-
ences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
W. J. Dixon Professor of Biomathematics, Department of Biomathematics,
School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Cal-
ifornia
L. R. Drees Research Associate, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas
H. Fliihler Professor of Soil Physics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology,
Zurich, Switzerland
Marcel Fuchs Scientist, Agricultural Research Organization, Institute of Soils
and Water, Bet Dagan, Israel
Walter H. Gardner Professor of Soils Emeritus, Department of Agronomy and Soils,
Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
G. W.Gee Staff Scientist, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Rich-
land, Washington
Richard E. Green Professor of Soil Science, Department of Agronomy and Soil
Science, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
S. C. Gupta Associate Professor of Soil Physics, Department of Soil Science,
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
B. F. Hajek Professor, Agronomy and Soil Department, Auburn University,
Auburn, Alabama
K. H. Hartge Professor of Soil Science, University of Hannover, Federal Re-
public of Germany
Marion L. Jackson The F. H. King Professor of Soil Science, Department of Soil
Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Ray D. Jackson Research Physicist, U.S. Water Conservation Laboratory, Ag-
ricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Phoenix, Arizona
W. Doral Kemper Director, Snake River Conservation Research Center, Agricul-
tural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kim-
berly, Idaho
Oscar Kempthorne Professor of Statistics, Department of Statistics, Iowa State Uni-
versity, Ames, Iowa
Dennis C. Kincaid Agricultural Engineer, Snake River Conservation Research Cen-
ter, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agricul-
ture, Kimberly, Idaho
CONTRIBUTORS xxiii

A. Klute Soil Scientist and Professor, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, and Agronomy Department, Colo-
rado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
George W. Kunze Professor Emeritus of Soil Mineralogy, Department of Soil and
Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Chin H. Lim Formerly Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Soil Science, U ni-
versity of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. Now at Guthrie Re-
search Chemara, Negri Sembilan, Malaysia
R. J. Luxmoore Soil and Plant Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak
Ridge, Tennessee
Murray B. McBride Associate Professor of Soil Chemistry, Department of Agron-
omy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Max M. Mortland Professor, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan
Yechezkel Mualem Soil Scientist, Seagram Centre for Soil and Water Sciences, The
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
Donald E. Myers Professor of Mathematics, Department of Mathematics, Uni-
versity of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
D. R. Nielsen Professor, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, Uni-
versity of California, Davis, California
J. D. Oster Extension Soil and Water Specialist, Department of Soil and
Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside,
California
A. J. Peck Chief Research Scientist, Division of Groundwater Research,
CSIRO, Wembley, Western Australia. Formerly Senior Principal
Research Scientist
Roger G. Petersen Professor of Statistics, Department of Statistics, Oregon State
University, Corvallis, Oregon
Arthur E. Peterson Professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wisconsin
Claude J. Phene Supervisory Soil Scientist, Water Management Research Labo-
ratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Ag-
riculture, Fresno, California
Stephen L. Rawlins Soil Physicist, National Program Staff, Agricultural Research
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland
Ronald C. Reeve Civil Engineer, Irrigation and Drainage, Agricultural Research
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Columbus, Ohio
J. D. Rhoades Supervisory Soil Scientist, U.S. Salinity Laboratory, Agricultural
Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Riverside,
California
D. E. Rolston Professor of Soil Science, Department of Land, Air and Water
Resources, University of California, Davis, California
Russell C. Rosenau Technician, Snake River Conservation Research Center, Agri-
cultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kim-
berly, Idaho
Charles B. Roth Professor of Soil Mineralogy/Chemistry, Department of Agron-
omy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
xxiv CONTRIBUTORS

Brij L. Sawhney Soil Chemist, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station,

New Haven, Connecticut
Lewis H. Stolzy Professor of Soil Physics, Department of Soil and Environmental
Sciences, University of California, Riverside, California
P. Lorenz Sutherland Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy, Southeast Col-
orado Research Center, Colorado State University, Lamar, Col-
orado
Kim H. Tan Professor of Agronomy, Department of Agronomy, University
of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
Sterling A. Taylor Professor of Soil Physics, Department of Soils and Biometeo-
rology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. Deceased 8 June
1967
M. Th. van Genuchten Research Soil Scientist, U.S. Salinity Laboratory, Agricultural
Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Riverside,
California
R. J. Wagenet Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy, Cornell Univer-
sity, Ithaca, New York
A. W. Warrick Professor, Department of Soil and Water Science, University of
Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Joe L. White Professor of Soil Mineralogy, Department of Agronomy, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Lynn D. Whittig Professor of Soil Science, Department of Land, Air and Water
Resources, University of California, Davis, California
P. J. Wierenga Professor of Soil Physics, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences,
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico
L. P. Wilding Professor of Pedology, Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas
Lucian W. Zelazny Professor of Soil Mineralogy, Agronomy Department, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
 Conversion Factors for SI and non-SI Units
To convert Column I To convert Column 2
into Column 2, Column 1 Column 2 into Column 1
multiply by SI Unit non-SI Unit multiply by

Length
0.621 kilometer, km (103 m) mile, mi 1.609
1.094 meter, m yard, yd 0.914
3.28 meter, m foot, ft 0.304
1.0 micrometer, I'm (10- 6 m) micron, I' 1.0
3.94 X 10- 2 millimeter, mm (10-3 m) inch, in 25.4
10 nanometer, nm (10- 9 m) Angstrom, A 0.1

Area
2.47 hectare, ha acre 0.405
~
~ 247 square kilometer, km2 (103 m)2 acre 4.05 X 10- 3
<I!
0.386 square kilometer, km2 (103 m)2 square mile, mil 2.590
2.47 X 10-' square meter, m2 acre 4.05 X 103
10.76 square meter, m2 square foot, ft2 9.29 X 10- 2
1.55 X 10- 3 square millimeter, mm2 (10- 6 m)2 square inch, in2 645

Volume
6.10 X 10' cubic meter, m 3 cubic inch, in3 1.64 X 10- 5
2.84 X 10- 2 liter, L (10-3 m 3) bushel, bu 35.24
1.057 liter, L (10-3 m 3) quart (liquid), qt 0.946
3.53 X 10- 2 liter, L (10-3 m 3) cubic foot, ft3 28.3
0.265 liter, L (10-3 m3) gallon 3.78
33.78 liter, L (10-3 m 3) ounce (fluid), oz 2.96 X 10- 2
2.11 liter, L (10-3 m 3) pint (fluid), pt 0.473
9.73 X 10- 3 meter3, m 3 acre-inch 102.8
35.3 meter3, m 3 cubic foot, ft3 2.83 X 10- 2

continued on next page

 ~
~

==
Conversion Factors for SI and non-SI Units
To convert Column I To convert Column 2
into Column 2, Column I Column 2 into Column I
multiply by SI Unit non-SI Unit multiply by

Mass
2.20 X 10- 3 gram, g (10- 3 kg) pound,lb 454
3.52 X 10-' gram, g ounce (avdp), oz 28.4
2.205 kilogram, kg pound,lb 0.454
10- 2 kilogram, kg quintal (metric), q 10'
1.10 X 10- 3 kilogram, kg ton (2000 lb), ton 907
1.102 megagram, Mg (tonne) ton (U.S.), ton 0.907

Yield and Rate

0.893 kilogram per hectare, kg ha - I pound per acre, lb acre-I 1.12 n
7.77 X 10-' kilogram per cubic meter, kg m- 3 pound per bushel, lb bu - I 12.87 0
Z
1.49 X 10- 2 kilogram per hectare, kg ha - I bushel per acre, 60 lb 67.19 <
t."'l
1.59 X 10-' kilogram per hectare, kg ha- ' bushel per acre, 56 lb 62.71 ~
00
1.86 X 10-' kilogram per hectare, kg ha - I bushel per acre, 48 lb 53.75
0.107 liter per hectare, L ha- ' gallon per acre 9.35 0
-
Z
893 megagram per hectare, Mg ha- ' pound per acre, lb acre-I 1.12 X 10- 3 "!PI
0.446 megagram per hectare, Mg ha- ' ton (2000 lb) per acre, ton acre-I 2.24
2.24 meter per second, m S-I mile per hour 0.447 ..,>n
0
~
Specific Surface 00
"!PI
10 square meter per kilogram, m' kg-I square centimeter per gram, 0.1 0
cm' g-I ~
10- 3 00
103 square meter per kilogram, m' kg-I square millimeter per gram,
mm' g-I ~
-z
00
.-.,
 Pressure
9.90 megapascal, MPa (1()6 Pa) atmosphere 0.101 8:2
10 megapascal, MPa (106 Pa) bar 0.1 -<
1.00 megagram per cubic meter, Mg m- 3 gram per cubic centimeter, g cm- 3 1.00
2.09 X 10- 2 pascal,Pa pound per square foot, Ib ft- 2 47.9
1.45 X 10- 4 pascal, Pa pound per square inch, Ib in- 2 6.90 X 103 I
:2
Temperature
1.00 (K - 273) Kelvin, K Celsius,oC 1.00 (OC + 273)
(9/5 0c) + 32 Celsius,oC Fahrenheit, of 5/9 (OF -32)

Energy, Work, Quantity of Heat

~
9.52 X 10- 4 joule, J British thermal unit, Btu 1.05 X 103
i
~
0.239 joule, J calorie, cal 4.19
10' joule, J erg 10- 7 c:::
:2
0.735 joule, J foot-pound 1.36 ::i
2.387 X 10- 5 joule per square meter, J m- 2 calorie per square centimeter 4.19 X 104 en
(langley)
10' newton, N dyne 10- 5
1.43 X 10- 3 watt per square meter, W m- 2 calorie per square centimeter 698
minute (irradiance), cal cm- 2 min-I

Transpiration and Photosynthesis

3.60 X 10- 2 milligram per square meter second, gram per square decimeter hour, 27.8
mg m- 2 S-I g dm- 2 h- '
5.56 X 10- 3 milligram (H 20) per square meter micromole (H 2 0) per square 180
second, mg m- 2 8- 1 centimeter second, !Lmol cm- 2 S-I
10- 4 milligram per square meter second, milligram per square centimeter 104
mg m- 2 S-I second, mg cm- 2 S-I
35.97 milligram per square meter second, milligram per square decimeter 2.78 X 10- 2
mg m- 2 8- 1 hour, mg dm- 2 h- '

Angle ~
~
57.3 radian, rad degrees (angle), ° 1.75 X 10- 2 <I!

continued on next page

 ~
Conversion Factors for SI and non-SI Units ~
..,
To convert Column 1 To convert Column 2
into Column 2, Column I Column 2 into Column 1
multiply by SI Unit non-SI Unit multiply by

Electrical Conductivity
10 siemen per meter, S m- I millimho per centimeter, mmho 0.1
cm- I

Water Measurement
9.73 X 10-' cubic meter, m3 acre-inches, acre-in 102.8
9.81 X 10-' cubic meter per hour, m' h- I cubic feet per second, f1:' S-I 101.9
4.40 cubic meter per hour, m' h- I U.S. gallons per minute, gal min-I 0.227
8.11 hectare-meters, ha-m acre-feet, acre-ft 0.123
97.28 hectare-meters, ha-m acre-inches, acre-in 1.03 X 10- 2
8.1 X 10- 2 hectare-centimeters, ha-cm acre-feet, acre-ft 12.33

Concentrations
centimole per kilogram, cmol kg- I milliequivalents per 100 grams, meq
(ion exchange capacity) 100 g-I
0.1 gram per kilogram, g kg-I percent, % 10
1 megagram per cubic meter, gram per cubic centimeter, 1
Mg m-' g cm-'
milligram per kilogram, mg kg-I parts per million, ppm

Plant Nutrient Conversion

I
::
Ekme"tal Oxide
2.29 P P20, 0.437
i
1.20 K K 20 0.830 ~
1.39 Ca Cao 0.715 ~
1.66 Mg MgO 0.602 ~

23 April 1986 ~