2021 article

Comparison of Cornell sprinkle infiltrometer and double-ring infiltrometer methods for measuring steady infiltration rate

Lewis, J., Amoozegar, A., McLaughlin, R. A., & Heitman, J. L. (2021, September 14). SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL.

By: J. Lewis n, A. Amoozegar n, R. McLaughlin n & J. Heitman n

UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
2. Zero Hunger (Web of Science)
14. Life Below Water (Web of Science)
15. Life on Land (Web of Science)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: September 27, 2021

AbstractInfiltration rate measurements are used to assess soil health and develop land management practices to address runoff from precipitation and irrigation. Differences in observed infiltration rates determined by available methods can be attributed to both the technique and soil property differences. The primary objective of this study was to compare two methods for measuring steady infiltration rate: the Cornell sprinkle infiltrometer (single‐ring) method (CSI), and the double‐ring infiltrometer method (DRI). Measurements were made at four sites using four replications of 13 sets of conditions (52 total paired measurements). The relationship between CSI and DRI measurements was significant (p < .001) and strong (R2 = .71). For 8 of 13 conditions, there was no difference between CSI and DRI steady infiltration rates. Variability in measurements was high (CVs ranged from 0.04 to 1.18) but similar for both methods. Both CSI and DRI results were strongly related to saturated hydraulic conductivity of the surface soil layer determined using a laboratory constant head method on intact soil cores. Overall, results suggest that estimates of steady infiltration rate determined by the CSI and standard DRI methods are comparable.