Influence of peatmoss on hydraulic properties and strength of compacted soils

Abstract

Due to its high organic matter content, peatmoss can be highly beneficial to agricultural soil. In this research, the impact of varying organic matter contents at different compaction efforts on water retention, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and modulus of rupture of three soils (sandy loam, clay loam, and clay) has been investigated under laboratory conditions. Compaction changed the ability of the soils to hold water, increased modulus of rupture, and decreased the plant-available water-holding capacity of the soils. On the other hand, organic matter generally increased the ability of the soils to hold water, expanded the available water capacity, and decreased the modulus of rupture of compacted soils. Key words: Peatmoss, water retention, saturated hydraulic conductivity, modulus of rupture