Impact of water of three salinity levels (0.4,15 and 30 dS m−1) was evaluated on soil water transmission functions of four Inceptisols of different textures. In all the soils, soil water diffusivity increased with increasing salinity of the water. Difference in soil water diffusivity brought about by different salinity levels of water was greater in clay than in sandy loam soil. Near saturation, highest soil water diffusivity was observed in sandy loam and the lowest in clay soil. Weighted mean and intrinsic mean diffusivity were of similar order. The penetrability, intrinsic penetrability and sorptivity also followed similar trends. Reverse was the trend for contact angle. For prediction of soil water diffusivity values. the exponential and regression equation proposed by Miller and Bresler (1977) is better than other models.
Inceptisols, diffusivity, saline water, hydraulic properties
