Model for determining geometry of wetted soil zone under subsurface drip irrigation.

Abstract

A model was developed using dimensional analysis approach for determining geometry of wetted soil zone under point sources of water application with subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). The predicted values of wetted depth and width were compared with those obtained through field experiments conducted in black vertisols at Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, M.P., India. Experimentation included determination of maximum depths and widths of wetted soil zone after 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 h of water application through SDI laterals placed at 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 m depths below soil surface. The effect of discharge, depths of placement of lateral and duration of water application on wetted width and depth were observed. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between predicted and observed values of wetted width and depth. Predictability of model expressed in terms of model efficiency was found to be 88.7 and 93.3% for wetted width and depth, respectively. Therefore, developed model may be used to simulate wetted depths and width under SDI with point source of water application.