Author
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Lentz, Rodrick |
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Bjorneberg, David - Dave |
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Submitted to: International Soil Conservation Organization (ISCO)
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/1999 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: For surface irrigated agriculture, the rate and spatial characteristics of infiltration processes influence cropping productivity, water use efficiency and erosion potential of stream flows. A change in furrow infiltration rate alters stream flow velocity and shear, and hence irrigation-induced erosion. Furrow irrigation models may be improved if they can account for the influence of water properties on these processes. Water temperature may influence furrow infiltration by altering fluid viscosity. We conducted laboratory soil column intake (constant head), and field recirculating furrow infiltrometer experiments, to determine whether irrigation water temperature significantly altered infiltration. The soil was Portneuf silt loam (coarse-silty, mixed superactive, mesic, Durinodic Xeric Haplocalcids). Soil column intake increased by 0.8 to 2.7 percent per degrees C. These values corresponded well with the smaller furrow infiltrometer database, which showed a 2.0 to 2.9 percent infiltration rate increase for each degree C increase in irrigation water temperature. Theses data show that diurnal and seasonal changes in irrigation water temperature can significantly alter furrow infiltration and stream flow. These effects may help explain observed infiltration field variability. Inclusion of temperature algorithms in furrow irrigation models may increase their predictive accuracy. |
