SOIL-TEMPERATURE REGIME IN THE ARID ZONE OF INDIA

The present study covers the soil layer surface to a depth of 120 cm. It is found that for the sandy and loamy sand soil of the arid zone of Jodhpur, there are 2 types of thermal regime patterns viz. 1) Summer pattern: In this soil temperature decreases from the surface all the way during maximum temperature epoch. During minimum temperature epoch of the air, temperature increases from surface to 30 cm depth and thereafter it decreases. 2) Winter pattern: In this, soil temperature decreases only upto 30 cm depth and thereafter increases during maximum temperature epoch. During minimum temperature epoch, the temperature increases continuously from the surface all the way. The summer pattern lasts from mid-March to mid-October with breaks during peak monsoon periods when winter pattern is obtained. Conditions are favourable for upward movement of moisture in vapour phase during the morning hours and for downward flow during afternoon hours throughout the year. The gradients are stronger from mid-March to end of October. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.