Influence of Soil Texture on Soil-Water Characteristic Curves of Different Sandy Loam Layers

Characteristic curves of soil moisture, between water content and matrix suction, are the basis for solving the problems of water flow and solute movement in soils. The soil–water characteristics of five layers of depths, 0–12 cm, 12–24 cm, 24–36 cm, 36–48 cm, and 48–60 cm, were measured for a sandy loam soil from Daxing District of Beijing in the northern part of the North China Plain by a pressure membrane apparatus. Curves were fitted using the Van Genuchten model. The fit between measured data and modeled results was excellent. The soil-water characteristic curves showed the typical Sshape of the Van Genuchten model. Matrix suction decreased with an increase in soil moisture; at low suctions, soil moisture content changed to a greater extent with suction, but at high suction, changes in soil moisture content with changes in suction were small. Clay content was proportional to soil water storage capacity and was inversely related to the speed of dehydration.