Comparison with field methods for assessing infiltration rates

There are various methods for assessing data on infiltration rates, but it is important to know how these methods interact with soil properties. The objective of this paper was to analyze four methods for infiltration measurement in different soil types under a no tillage system. Field experiments were performed in Campinas, Campos Novos Paulista and Pindorama, in Sao Paulo State, on Eutrudox, Hapludox and Hapladult soils, respectively. Infiltration rates were measured from September to November 2000, by the evaluation methods: constant head permeameter, pressure infiltrometer, sprinkler infiltrometer with a single nozzle, and disk permeameter. Results indicated that the methods produced different values for infiltration rates and have a varied behavior according to soil properties. The lowest infiltration rates were measured by the sprinkler infiltrometer. Where permeameter and pressure infiltrometers were used, the water movement into the soil was determined by the soil structure and when a sprinkler infiltrometer was used, the factors soil cover and particle size controlled the process.