Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science

Effects of land use and management treatments on soil infiltration parameters were assessed in the semi-arid tropical (SAT) zone of India. An infiltration study was carried out in Vertisols at six locations under two different land uses viz., agriculture and wasteland (WL); under agriculture land use, two different levels of management viz., high management (HM) and farmer's management (FM) were considered. The performance of 2 empirical infiltration models (Kostiakov 1932 and Horton 1940) and 2 process-based models (Green and Ampt 1911 and Phillip 1957) was evaluated to predict instantaneous infiltration rates in these locations. The model parameters were evaluated for efficiency and precision with respect to effects of land use and management levels. The soil series of Kasireddypalli under HM recorded higher infiltration rates. Infiltration rates were lower in wastelands than in agricultural lands. Based on coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMS), coefficient of residual mass (CRM) and model efficiency (ME) parameters, the Horton's (1940) model gave the best representation of the infiltration rate and time relationship in Vertisols at all the locations.