soil water

(hydrology) Water in the belt of soil water. Also known as rhizic water; soil moisture.

Moisture is held in the capillary soil pores. The soil moisture budget is the balance of water in the soil; this is the net result of the combined effects of precipitation (P) and potential evapotranspiration (PE).

When PE exceeds P, there will be a phase when soil moisture is used up, after which, with the continued excess of PE over P, there will be a soil moisture deficit. This deficit may be remedied if, during wetter seasons, P exceeds PE, thus inducing soil moisture recharge. This may then be followed by a soil moisture surplus. See also moisture index.