By Jamie Martin
Soil is a dynamic, living system that plays a vital role in water management and crop growth. A new study led by Dr. Shi Qibin from the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows that soil contains microscopic pores and channels that act as natural plumbing, moving water deep into the ground for plant roots.
Frequent tillage and heavy tractor traffic disrupt this system. In cultivated soil, water tends to pool near the surface and evaporates quickly, leaving deeper soil layers dry. This compromises crops’ ability to survive droughts and flooding.
Researchers at Harper Adams University in the UK used fiber-optic cables as sensors to track water movement without disturbing the soil. Tiny vibrations from flowing water were monitored, revealing how undisturbed soils quickly absorb rainfall and store it in deeper layers for plant use.
The team created a dynamic capillary stress model to explain their observations. Water enters soil pores easily but exits slowly, due to capillary forces, which differ depending on whether soil is wet or dry. Traditional soil models focus mostly on water content, not these structural dynamics.
"Rather than a simple collection of particles, soil is a porous medium in which the structure functions like capillary vessels within the water cycle," said Dr. Shi.
The findings highlight the importance of preserving soil structure through reduced tillage and careful machinery use. Protecting these natural channels will help crops better endure extreme weather caused by climate change.
Distributed fiber-optic sensing, part of agroseismology, enables real-time monitoring of soil health, providing farmers with tools for sustainable, resilient farming practices.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dmytro-diedov
Categories: National