Correlation study between "moisture equivalent" and microporosity in soils of northeastern Brazil, I. Podzolic soils

Abstract

This paper shows a correlation study between moisture equivalent and microporosity of 212 podzolic soil samples of Northeastern Brazil. The moisture equivalent was determined on dried-air soil samples by centrifuge method and the microporosity by a “tension table" method, using undisturbed soil cores subjected to the suction corresponding to a water column 60 cm high. The regression equation was the following: Y = 11.96 + 0.67 X, where Y is the moisture equivalent values expressed in volume percent. The correlation coefficient (at 0,1% probability level or less) was 0.947. In regard to the soils studied, more significant data were obtained through the application of this regression equation than through the direct use of the moisture equivalent for determining their available water.