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Infiltration Characteristic Constants in Border Irrigation

K. K. Dey
Former Post-Graduate student, Department of Irrigation & Water Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M. N. Islam
Department of Irrigation & Water Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

A. A. Hassan
Agricultural Engineering Division Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Volume balance and cylinder infiltrometer method of infiltration measurements were carried out at the Bangladesh Agricultural University farm to determine the infiltration characteristics in Border irrigation for better irrigation management. Three irrigation trials were carried out in non-vegetative border and one trial was in vegetative border (Maize crop). The rate of application of water in first, second, third and fourth trials were 12.42, 2.21, 5.19 and 5.19 lis, respectively. A general equation of cumulative infiltration rate (Kostiakov equation) was used to determine the characteristic constants and a comparison was made between Volume balance method and Cylinder infiltrometer method. It was observed that for all the trials cumulative infiltration and infiltration rate by Volume balance method was higher than that of cumulative infiltration and infiltration rate by Cylinder infiltrometer method. It was also observed that the values of infiltration characteristic constants 'a' and 'b' by Volume balance method were higher than those of the values of 'a' and 'b"by Cylinder infiltrometer method.

Keywords: Infiltration measurements , Border irrigation, Irrigation management

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural University farm area, Mymensingh

Start Date: 01-01-1995

End Date: 31-12-1995

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water management

Objectives:

To determine the infiltration characteristic constants for border irrigation system.

Methodology:

Two plots were selected for the experiment. Border width of each plot was 8 m and border length was 40 m. Two border-strips were prepared keeping 1 m gap between the adjacent levees. Levees were roughly 30 cm wide and 20 cm high. The slope of the experimental plots and elevation at different points were determined by dumpy level. To avoid outward seepage at the first trial of irrigation polythene sheets were vertically placed at 20 cm cm depth below the surface along the side of the levees of the two plots. The bed of the earthen canal from cutthroat flume to the delivery point at the head-end of the plots was completely covered with a piece of polythene sheet ensuring no loss of water in between. Maize crop was used as a vegetative cover. Line to line distance of maize crop was 30 cm and plant to plant distance was about 15 cm. During water supply to the plots three openings were made for each plot at the upstream side. The openings were 2 m apart with a dimension of 10 cm x 10 cm. Soil samples from depths of (0-10) and (10-20) cm were collected by auger from each of the experimental plots. Textural analysis of the soils was carried out by hydrometer method. Core sampler was used to determine the bulk density of the soils. Gravimetric method was made to determine the soil moisture of the experimental plots. Bulk density and soil moisture were determined before each irrigation trials. Infiltration rate was measured using Cylinder infiltrometer method and Volume balance method. The Cylinder infiltrometers were 25 cm deep made from 2 mm thick steel. Diameter of the inner and outer cylinder was 30 cm and 60 cm, respectively. Before each irrigation trial, infiltration behavior of the soil was studied at two places, one at approximately middle point of the upper half and the other at the middle points of lower half of the plots. The infiltration characteristics for the whole irrigated area was obtained by averaging the two mathematically fitted infiltration curves for a particular trial time. In the volume balance method infiltration was measured per unit width of border at every instant of time. Advance time, advance length and average depth of flow are needed to measure infiltration by this method. For measuring depth of flow on the border length, meter scales were used. The least count of meter scale was 0.1 cm. These meter scales were tied with bamboo sticks in such a way that zero marking of the scale was levelled with the field surface. The depth of flow was measured at three points (2 m apart) across the border by meter scales after every 5 m interval from the upstream end of the border. In this method infiltration was measured by subtracting the volume of water stored from the volume of water applied at different time or different lengths of the border.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agri. Engg. 9 (1&2): 17 - 25; 1998

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The values of infiltration constants 'a' and 'b' were found in the range of 0 to 1 for both the methods.

Knowledge Management: Journal