The water holding capacity in Maltese soils

Abstract

The objective of this dissertation was to find the soil water holding capacity of the four different types of Maltese soils, from different parts of the Maltese Islands. Soil samples at different depths were taken regularly and the moisture level was found in each case by drying the soil and calculating the percentage water content in each case. Once the moisture level stopped rising than the water holding capacity of that particular soil was found. The water holding capacity of the soil increased as the percentage clay in the soil increased. On the other hand as the percentage sand increased, the water holding capacity decreased. Due to the differences in rainfall in the four sites, a rain gauge was placed in each field. Once the water holding capacity of each soil was found, than one could calculate the maximum volume of water that can be held by the soil in that particular field, in order to prevent drainage of excess water. Factors which affect the water holding capacity of a soil were also discussed and these include organic matter, Gypsum etc. In fact the addition of organic matter to the soil is one very important way of increasing the soil water holding capacity.