The Influence of Grass Species Composition on Fishpond Dikes on Soil Infiltration

Abstract

Infiltration of water into the soil was monitored from 2012 to 2015 in two fishpond dikes of three different variants of grass species composition: variant 1 – grass mix for extensively dry conditions, variant 2 – heavy duty grass mix, variant 3 – grass mix for intensively moist areas. The monitored grass vegetation was mowed twice a year. The Rohatec pond is situated in Jindřichův Hradec district, in terms of texture its dike is made of sandy soil. The Horní Šatlava pond in Hodonín district and its dike consists of sandy to sandy‑loam soils. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was measured with a Mini Disk Infiltrometer. On Rohatec dike the heavy duty mix proved the most suitable option for soil infiltration, while the best variant on Horní Šatlava dike was the mix for extensive drought. The lowest average unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was found in the extensive moisture variant which was statistically confirmed in the Horní Šatlava location.