Soil Science Society of America Journal · 1954 · 22 citations · 0 references
AgricultureHydrologySoil SciencesSoil PhysicsSoil ScienceSoil-water RelationsDrainage In Irrigated AgricultureIrrigationIrrigation DrainageSoil DrainageSoil MoistureSoil-water BalanceAgricultural Field DrainageConsumptive UseDrainageIrrigation Effects On Soil WaterSoil Moisture Measurement TechniquesSoil Moisture MonitoringSoil Water DistributionSoil Water Measurement
Abstract Measureable drainage of water within the soil profile in field plots was observed for periods of up to 8 days following irrigation under an actively transpiring alfalfa crop. Rates of movement from the 0 to 3 foot zone were of the order of 0.20 inch per day 2 days after irrigation and 0.11 inch per day 4 days after irrigation. Total drainage from the 0 to 3 foot zone for the period 2 to 8 days was 0.58 inch. This downward movement of water is shown to have material effects upon consumptive use measurements and the soil moisture extraction pattern. A computed error of 23 per cent in consumptive use for the first 8 days following irrigation is shown to have occurred in the present experiment as a result of drainage from the 0 to 3 foot zone.