COMPACTIBILITY INDEXES OF SOME AGRICULTURAL SOILS OF NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA

Abstract

Using the Ottawa Texture Measuring System, equipment developed by Agriculture Canada, we propose to call the moisture content at which remolded soils compact to their maximum critical mositure content, instead of the term optimum moisture content used by various other agricultural scientists.Our data indicate that for a certain soil the resultant bulk density is a function of the soil's moisture content and the compactive force used. This relationship of bulk density with mositure content and compactive force can be expressed in a third-order polynomial equation. At a given compactive force, the critical moisture could be calculated from the first derivative of the equation.Soehne's (1958) approach is used to define and calculate compactibility indexes of some New Brunswick soils. We also project future practical use of the work presented. Using the Ottawa Texture Measuring System, equipment developed by Agriculture Canada, we propose to call the moisture content at which remolded soils compact to their maximum critical mositure content, instead of the term optimum moisture content used by various other agricultural scientists. Our data indicate that for a certain soil the resultant bulk density is a function of the soil's moisture content and the compactive force used. This relationship of bulk density with mositure content and compactive force can be expressed in a third-order polynomial equation. At a given compactive force, the critical moisture could be calculated from the first derivative of the equation. Soehne's (1958) approach is used to define and calculate compactibility indexes of some New Brunswick soils. We also project future practical use of the work presented. © Williams & Wilkins 1984. All Rights Reserved.