High Temperatures Impact Soil Water Retention and Plant Growth Potential
Thermal desorption at different temperatures affects water retention and soil conductivity. Heating soil to 60-800°C changes how much water it can hold and how easily water moves through it. A sandy loam soil had more water at saturation but less available for plants as temperature increased. A sandy soil had less water available for plants, while a clay soil had more water available at higher temperatures. The ability of water to move through the soil increased for sandy and clay soils but decreased for a sandy soil at very high temperatures. This study shows how soil properties change with different heating temperatures, which can impact plant growth and environmental functions.