SATURATED SOIL can lead to problems with roots of trees and shrubs, and ultimately contribute to death or uprooting of trees. When soil becomes saturated through over-watering or heavy rains, plants cannot develop new fine feeder roots that are responsible for uptake of nutrients.
Consolidation happens when the soil is in a fully saturated condition. That is, after all, air from voids got expelled by compaction of soil it will be fully saturated and then the consolidation starts. Thus as the volume of water reduces by consolidation, the volume of voids also reduces at the same rate.
Prolonged periods of sitting in soil saturated with water reduces the oxygen available to the roots and causes yellow leaves, root rot and death. However, conditions can be improved using various techniques to promote drainage and prevent damage.
saturated soil. A condition in which all easily drained voids (pores) between soil particles are temporarily or permanently filled with water, significant saturation during the growing season is considered to be usually one week or more.
Plants cannot tolerate extremely wet sites because soil that is completely full of water has no room for air. Poor root growth occurs when soil air/water balance is out of balance. Trees and shrubs may survive under these conditions but will often grow poorly.
Too much water in the soil is often caused by construction and planting practices, such as the improper use of irrigation systems. However, some locations are naturally susceptible to saturated soil because of soil type, terrain, heavy rains, flooding, or a high water table.
The Degree of Saturation or SR-value ranges from 0% to 100% (0% being completely dry, and 100% being fully saturated).
The duration of the rain is the first aspect that impacts how quickly the ground will dry. If the rain was brief, such as 15 minutes, the ground may dry up in 6 hours and you may be able to work on it afterward. However, if there is continuous rain for 4 days, the ground may take longer than 4 days to dry up.
Below the water table, all openings in the ground are filled with water. Once groundwater reaches this saturated zone, it begins to travel both horizontally and downward, and can flow into wells, rivers, and eventually the sea.
On the other hand, very wet soils are difficult to compact because pores are filled with water, which must be squeezed out before compaction can occur. Equipment may create ruts when soils are saturated because the saturated soil is moving around them.
Plants growing in soil that is too wet suffer from a lack of oxygen which leads to the death of roots and a loss of vigor in the plant. Stunted slow growth with yellowing leaves is a symptom of over watering.
If the ball remains mostly intact or breaks into only a few pieces, the soil is too wet. Observe your planter in the field. If soil is building up on the rubber closing wheels, the soil is too wet to plant. You should inspect the seed furrow periodically for signs of soil smearing and sidewall compaction.
Planting vegetables in wet soil also alters the type of microorganisms found in the growing substrate. When compaction reduces the oxygen level in the soil, anaerobic bacteria proliferate. These microorganisms produce substances like hydrogen sulfide, butyric acid and alcohols which are harmful to vegetable plants.
The good news is that most plants will bounce back between 7-14 days if they're given proper care (which includes rehydration). If this isn't possible because major damage was done or little healthy root system exists then expect about 2 weeks until improvement can be seen.
moist. 'High moisture' plants prefer moist soil—not wet soil. Wet soil or fully saturated soil is soil that has all pore spaces filled with water and devoid of air. For example, a sponge that is completely full of water and no air would be considered fully saturated.
Overly thick thatch not only makes the lawn spongy but can interfere with the plant's ability to gather air, water, and fertilizer. The roots are forced to grow on top of the thatch and the sponginess increases. Getting rid of lawn thatch increases the health and texture of the grass.
Poor Drainage
No matter what kind of indoor plant you grow, drainage holes are essential. A container or pot with inadequate drainage or no holes is bad for the health of the plant. Wet soil is most frequently caused by pots without any holes in them. If you are cultivating aquatic plants at home, moist soil is best.
Signs of root rot are slow growth, mushy stems, and wilting, yellow, distorted leaves (especially when the plant has been well watered, as wilting leaves can also be a sign of a dry plant).
One of the most frequent issues plant owners have is overwatering. After watering, the soil around the plant should remain moist for a while to allow the plant to receive the nutrients and water it needs. 2 to 4 hours after watering, the soil should still be moist.
Saturated conditions occur when all of the voids, spaces, and cracks are filled with water. Unsaturated conditions occur when the voids, spaces, and cracks between soil, sand, gravel, or rock are filled with a combination of air and water.
The two most common methods for alleviating compaction are soil ripping (also called subsoiling or tilling) and addition of organic matter.