COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT INFILTRATION MODELS UNDER DIFFERENT SOILSD.S. Potdar, A.H. Patil and V.N. NaleAbstract The present study of infiltration was undertaken to assess the predictability and applicability of the different infiltration prediction models and to compare the observed and predicted infiltration rate by using different calibrated models. The precise prediction of infiltration rate is necessary to understand the behavior of the subsurface flow of water through the soil. The experimental data was recorded with a double ring infiltrometer for 15 samples, out of which 6 samples were from Agronomy farm and 9 samples from Horticulture farm of RCSM, College of Agriculture, Kolhapur (MS). The low infiltration and cumulative infiltration rate in agronomy farm was observed as compared with horticulture farm soils. The infiltration rate was decreased with increase in time period in both the types of soil up to final steady infiltration rate. The drastic lower down the infiltration rate was noticed on Agronomy farm (138 mm h-1) and Horticulture farm (210.67 mm h-1) at five minutes. The lower values of rate constant and higher values of coefficient of determination (R2=0.828) was observed in horticulture farm soils. The Philip model showed the higher values of coefficient of determination, less standard error and high value of decision factor. Among the three infiltration models studied, the Philip model is fitted the best over Horton and Kostiakov model for predicting the infiltration rate of both the soils of RCSM, College of Agriculture, Kolhapur. |