<p> Measurements of soil temperature and soil moisture values beneath and in close proximity to circular mulches of hay and straw were made. The experiments were conducted to determine whether sub-surface effects vary with mulch diameter, and to acquire information concerning the seasonal changes in such effects produced by a mulch of most favourable diameter. The modification of soil climate increased with a greater mulch size. A circular mulch with a diameter of 60 cms or less was considered to be of no practical value for winter protection of roots. The mulch with a 240 cms. diameter, provided some winter protection, preventing freezing of the soil, and, in summer caused considerable modification of the sub-surface climate. In the summer, soil temperatures were lowered by values of up to 5°C and 2.5°C at 5 and 100 cms. depth respectively. After a two-month period of dry weather, moisture values at 0-10 cms. depth beneath the mulch were 20% by volume, whereas, outside the mulch they were 5%. These differences decreased with increasing depth but were over 10% at 100 ems. </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/17938 |
| Date | 10 1900 |
| Creators | Hannell, Christine Brenda |
| Contributors | Hannell, F. G., Davies, J. A., Geography |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
Page generated in 0.0023 seconds