Feldkapazitätsdefizit

Feldkapazitätsdefizit, translated as "field capacity deficit," refers to the difference between the total water that a soil can hold at field capacity and the actual amount of water present in the soil at a given time. Field capacity is the maximum amount of water a soil can retain after excess water has drained away due to gravity. This is a key concept in soil science and hydrology, particularly for understanding water availability for plants.

When the soil's water content is below field capacity, a deficit exists. This deficit can be influenced by several factors, including evapotranspiration, which is the combined process of evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration from plants, as well as drainage and rainfall. If the deficit is significant and prolonged, it can lead to water stress for vegetation, impacting growth and yield.

Monitoring and understanding field capacity deficit are crucial for efficient irrigation management. By knowing how much water is available and how quickly it is being depleted, farmers and land managers can determine when and how much to irrigate to maintain optimal soil moisture levels without over-watering, which can lead to nutrient leaching and other environmental problems. Remote sensing and soil moisture sensors are often employed to assess these deficits across agricultural landscapes.