Abstract:
This study was conducted to compare soil moisture levels and root distribution of tea (Camellia
sinensis), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) cultivated in wet zone
(WL2a) of Sri Lanka. Tea, rubber and oil palm cultivations were selected and soil moisture
content and root dry weight were determined for crops (oil palm, rubber and tea), different soil
depths (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm), maturity stages of crop (6-9 years and 17-20 years),
slope of land (00-50cm,100-150cm and 200-250cm) plant and inter row location. The same data
were repeatedly taken three times and each data set was taken at four days after a rainfall. In the
study the highest mean soil moisture content was recorded in Rubber lands and mean soil
moisture content of rubber was significantly different from oil palm and tea. However, mean soil
moisture content of both oil palm and tea were not significantly different from each other. Mean
root dry weight was significantly different among crop species where the highest mean root dry
weight was recorded in oil palm. The mean root dry weights of rubber and tea were not
significantly different with each other.
