Evaluation of Cyclic Wetting-Drying Frequency, Land Management History on Soil Hydro Physical Properties

The evaluation of cyclic wetting-drying frequency and land management history on soil hydro physical properties is crucial for understanding soil-water dynamics and optimizing land management practices. This study aimed to assess the impact of cyclic wetting-drying frequency and land management history on the hydro physical properties of a selected farm land. The study area was a representative agricultural site with a history of diverse land management practices.Various hydro physical properties, including soil moisture retention, hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, and soil porosity, were evaluated in this study. The cyclic wetting-drying frequency was manipulated by subjecting the soil to different cycles of saturation, simulating wetting and subsequent drying cycles. Soil samples were collected from different depths and locations within the farm land to capture spatial variability.The results revealed that cyclic wetting-drying frequency significantly influenced the soil hydro physical properties. Soil moisture retention characteristics were observed to vary with different wetting-drying cycles, Bulk density, an indicator of soil compaction, was also influenced by both cyclic wetting-drying frequency and land management history.