Changes in water infiltration along a catena prior to mechanised clearing operations and after two cropping seasons

Abstract

Maintenance of water infiltration into sloped agricultural lands is an important mechanism for both moisture supply to crops and erosion control. Changes in water infiltration of a typic Kandiudult (Rhodic Nitisols) with a 21% slope were measured in the upper-, middle- and lower-backslope segments of 9 m by 40 m run-off plots located at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo, Uganda. Cumulative infiltration was computed for the Green-Ampt, Philips, and Kostiakov models from infiltrometer measurements taken prior to mechanised land clearing and during maize (Zea mays) cropping. Kay et al. (1994) model was used to predict the time of 50% reduction in infiltration rate. The infiltration behaviour was best described by the Kostiakov model. Changes in infiltration rate were dependent on slope position with greatest alterations recorded on the upper and middle positions. Mean cumulative infiltration after 60 minutes was highest prior to land clearing with values of 150, 97 and 97 cm for the upper-, middle- and lower-slope segments, respectively. The Kay et al. model predicted significant (P