Hydraulic Properties and Their Dependence on Physico-chemical Properties of Soils: A Review

In the present day context, the knowledge of the soil, water and its movement in the soil has key importance for optimum plant growth as well as having practical inferences in agricultural, hydrological and ecological situations. Hydraulic properties of soils play a significant role in the adoption of water management strategies capable of improving resource use efficiency and alleviating production constraints of soils worldwide. Hydraulic conductivity is the most important hydraulic parameter to regulate the flow and transport related phenomena in soil. Hence, there is a need for accurate and adequate information regarding the hydraulic properties in relation to soil physico-chemical properties. The aim of this paper is to extend the relationship between the hydraulic properties and other soil physico-chemical properties of soils. Many studies around the world reveal the effect of texture, soil organic carbon content, bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, aggregate stability index and soil water holding capacity on hydraulic properties of soils.