Effects of Mucilage on Rhizosphere Hydraulic Functions Depend on Soil Particle Size

• Published in: Vadose zone journal Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 1 - 11
• Main Authors: Kroener, Eva, Holz, Maire, Zarebanadkouki, Mohsen, Ahmed, Mutez, Carminati, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madison The Soil Science Society of America, Inc 2018; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Flow velocity; Hydraulic properties; Hydraulics; Hypotheses; Microorganisms; Moisture content; Mucilage; Mucilages; Particle size; Permeability; Pore size; porosity; Properties; Retention; Rhizosphere; Roots; Sand; saturated hydraulic conductivity; Seeds; Silt; Soil; Soil properties; Soil water; Soils; Uptake; vadose zone; Viscosity; Water; Water content; Water uptake

Core Ideas We propose a model of mechanistic pore‐scale interactions of mucilage, water, and soil. Effect of mucilage on saturated hydraulic conductivity is stronger in coarse soils. Coarse soils require higher mucilage concentration to increase water content. Upscaling to macroscopic soil hydraulic...