Root Exploration, Initial Moisture Conditions, and Irrigation Scheduling Influence Hydration of Stratified and Non-Stratified Substrates^†

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

You provided a good summary of how water travels through and is retained in these two substrates under various initial volumetric water contents. Understanding water infiltration and retention is critical to determining and scheduling irrigation for container-grown crops. Although the results are interesting, the presentation is not very organized. You conducted three separate experiments but the data (Tables 2-3; Figures 3-7) is not presented in that way except for Table 4. Specific comments are in the attached file.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Thank you for the thorough review. We have made requested edits and rearrangements in the manuscript and feel that your review supported a much stronger paper. Responses to individual comments are included in attachment. Please see attachment.

Best,

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Abstract

Lin 15 and 16: review, show de problem of paper. 

Not present informatiion how to conduced experiment. 

Line 77,78,79,118,672 640, 620, 603,  citation incorret 

In introduction I suggest cite more paper about use de substrate in agriculture. Because

line 141: every 14 d with liquid 20N:8.7.4P:16.6K fertilizer --> Analysed 

Insert image the substrate

The conclusion its extxensive, sugeest review.

Author Response

Dear kind reviewer,

Thank you for your effort in reviewing this manuscript. We have taken the time to address your specific comments and reviews. The full response are included in the attachment. Please see attachment. 

Best,

Jeb 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx