Determination of Infiltration Rate under Different Levels of Compaction by the Use of Double Ring Infiltrometer, A Case of Kagera Sugar Limited (KSL)

Abstract

Irrigation is a major factor in sugarcane growing. Unquestionably, sugarcane is one of the most Water - demanding crops after rice. The amount of water recorded from rainfall or irrigation systems in a given field are always considered as uniform despite of heterogeneous condition within the field. The application of water in the soil is one but the uptake by plant is the most side of consign. Water uptake by plant which is among of the root function, is mainly influenced by infiltration rate. Other side of these is right to say, any hindrance factor to infiltration rate and its capacity is primary killer for plant growth. Soil compaction is one of greatest factor which hinder water percolation into the ground as it deform soil structure. In infiltration test conducted at 6P4D shows the statistical difference between infiltration rate in compacted and non-compacted portions. The highest and lowest infiltration rate recorded was 383mm/hour to 116mm/hour and 220mm/hour to 35mm/hour in non-compacted and compacted portions respectively. Once the data were subjected to ANOVA using GenStat software was found to be statistically difference at 5% level of confidence. Being in a side of quantifying its consequences will help to make friendly decision in our farming system and irrigation scheduling in order to avoid water loss through runoff and flooding as a result of poor infiltration. The main purpose of this writings is to examine quantitatively on how compaction influence infiltration rate and come-up with recommendation such as Controlled Traffic system.