Abstract
The Beerkan method consists of a ponded infiltration experiment from a single ring inserted a small depth into the soil. Fixed, small volumes of water are repeatedly poured into the ring to maintain a quasi-zero head on the soil surface. According to the standard Beerkan infiltration run, a new water volume is poured on the infiltration surface when the previously applied volume has completely infiltrated and the soil surface is entirely exposed to air (ta
criterion). However, water could also be applied when the soil exposition to air begins (to
criterion) or half the soil surface is exposed to air (tm
criterion). The effect of the infiltration time criterion on determination of the water transmission properties of a sandy-loam soil was tested. As compared with the standard ta
criterion, the two alternative criteria (to
, tm
) yielded higher and/or more variable estimates of soil water transmission properties. The saturated soil hydraulic conductivity, Ks
, was the most sensitive property to the infiltration time criterion. However, statistically significant differences for Ks
were not practically substantial since they did not exceed a factor of 1.7. Infiltration time effects likely occurred due to differences between ponding depth of water, soil water pressure head gradient, air entrapment and soil mechanical disturbance. The standard ta
criterion was suggested for performing a Beerkan experiment in the field since it appears to yield the most reliable estimates of a mean value. However, the to
criterion could be considered in dual permeability soils to maintain macropores active. Factors that could appear minor in the context of an experiment can have statistically relevant effects on water transmission properties.
Water transmission properties of a sandy loam soil under different tillage practices in Maiduguri, Nigeria.
