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Field Water Capacity (FWC)
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FWC is reached when there is no free water present in the soil. All the water present is bound to the soil particles. This means that water does not move out of the soil profile through leaching.
Base Status
This is an indication of the degree to which bases (calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium) have been leached from the soil. The categories of soil, according to their base status, are:
- Dystrophic soils (few bases): Rainfall greater than 850mm per annum.
- Mesotrophic soils (moderate base status): Rainfall of 700-900mm per annum.
- Eutrophic soils (high base status): Rainfall of less than 750mm per annum.
Accurate assessment of base status requires laboratory analysis.
Infiltration and Internal Drainage
- Infiltration: This is the rate at which water enters the soil surface.
- Permeability: This refers to the ease with which water penetrates and passes through soils or horizons.
- Drainage: This refers to the ability of soil to drain excess water down to the water table.
Click here to view a video that explains the permeability.