Use of Kostiakov’s Infiltration Model on Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Soils, Southeastern, Nigeria

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to obtain the water infiltration parameters of the soils of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. This could be used in simulating infiltration for these soils when designing irrigation projects, thereby saving time and cost of field measurement. Field measurements of infiltration were first made using a double ring infiltrometer. The test lasted for 180 mins in each location. Infiltration values ranged from 0.03 cm/min to 0.1 cm/min. The highest value was obtained in the Forest Block. Kostiakov’s infiltration model was then applied on the field data in order to determine the soils’ infiltration parameters and equations. The model empirical constants or parameters obtained were “m” and “n”. For “m” the values were: 0.53 for the soil of Forest Block, 0.42 for Poultry block, 0.50 for P.G. block, 0.41 for the soils of Staff School and Guest House. The corresponding “n” values were: 1.37, 1.12, 0.37, 1.79, and 1.38. Infiltration equations: 0.4It 1.38 , 0.4lt 1.79 , 0.42t 1.12 , and 0.53t 1.37 were determined for the locations. These were used to simulate data which were evaluated by comparing them with the field data. The two data sets showed closed relationships. This implied that the model could be used to simulate water infiltration during irrigation projects in the farms of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.