Methods of Determining Infiltration Rates Using Different Mulch Materials in a Semi-Arid Environment: A Comparative Approach

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of various infiltration rate measurement methods and Mulch materials on the infiltration characteristics of sandy loam soil. The Single Ring Infiltrometer, Double Ring Infiltrometer, and Furrow Inflow-Outflow Methods were also investigated. The study discovered that double ring infiltrometers produced more accurate findings than single ring infiltrometers and the Furrow Inflow-Outflow Methods. Sawdust mulches improved soil conditions and provided the finest infiltration outcomes. The interplay of the double ring infiltrometer method and sawdust mulching produced the best results in terms of infiltration rate. The infiltration rate depends mainly on percentage fine particle, clayey content and bulk density.The findings highlighted the importance of this prevalent traditional practise of mulching in arid and semi-arid locations, as well as the importance of using appropriate techniques for evaluating soil infiltration characteristics. The results of such measurements could be utilised to optimise material selection in solving plant-soil-water dynamics problems. As a result, this can be used as a measure of soil productivity.