EFFECTS OF SOIL TEXTURAL COMPOSITION ON INFILTRATION RATES

Soil has many properties that are either chemical or physical properties. Examples of physical properties include soil texture, infiltration rate, and bulk density to mention just a few. Soil texture (percent fraction of sand, silt and clay), however, is believed to affect the rate of infiltration amongst other infiltration rate affecting factors. A better understanding would provide essential information in agricultural activities. This paper aims at understanding how soil texture affects the rate of infiltration. The infiltration of water in unused land was measured using double ring infiltrometer method. The relationships between infiltration and soil textural composition were analyzed. It was found that water infiltrates faster in sand soils than in loam and clay soils. It was also noted that infiltration rates were higher during onset of infiltration rate test and slowly decreases until saturation point is reached. It is then concluded that infiltration rate of water is affected by soil texture and rate of infiltration is higher in sandy than in loamy soils. The rate of infiltration decreases with soil depth in undisturbed land.

Examples of physical properties include soil texture, infiltration rate, and bulk density to mention just a few. Soil texture (percent fraction of sand, silt and clay), however, is believed to affect the rate of infiltration amongst other infiltration rate affecting factors. It was also noted that infiltration rates were higher during onset of infiltration rate test and slowly decreases until saturation point is reached. It is then concluded that infiltration rate of water is affected by soil texture and rate of infiltration is higher in sandy than in loamy soils.

No detailed description has been provided for this study area.

District: Phalombe

Coordinates: -15.6822, 35.6724