THE EFFECT OF LAND USE ON SOIL INFILTRATION RATE IN A HEAVY CLAY SOIL IN EGYPT / Effekten av landanvändning på infiltrationshastighet i egyptiska lerjordar
Double ring infiltrometers are usually used by engineers, agronomists, and other professionals to estimate the infiltration rate of different soil types. Measurement of surface infiltration rate is necessary for many purposes (describing the soil permeability). In this study, the effect of land use in heavy clayey soil on soil infiltration rate was investigated using double ring infiltrometers. Field experiments were carried out at three representative fields of different land use located in the El-Salam Canal command, Egypt. In all sites (cultivated, natural, and fish farm), the infiltration rate at the beginning was low and decreased to reach the steady (constant) value of 18, 60, and 12 mm h–1, respectively. Based on the results, it appears that the initial infiltration rate depended mainly on the water content in heavy clayey soil. In addition, it was affected by the amount of cracks caused by the plant root, earth movement, and desiccation of clay.