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A Numerical Study of the Effects of Noncapillary-Sized Pores Upon Infiltration¹

ABSTRACT

A numerical solution to the unsaturated soil moisture flow equation was used to model infiltration into a soil containing surface-connected noncapillary holes. Input parameters used to demonstrate the model were those from an untilled silt loam soil whose infiltration characteristics are strongly influenced by worm holes, especially when rainfall rates are high. The two-dimensional model allows for vertical infiltration from the soil surface and for lateral infiltration from a vertical hole after excess precipitation on the surface runs into the hole.

The model shows that the number of holes per unit soil area, as well as the diameter and depth of the holes, greatly influence infiltration and surface runoff. The assumption of noncapillary flow through continuous holes or cracks may be used to explain some of the observed deviations from capillary flow theory and the fast movement of surface-applied agricultural chemicals through the soil profile.

¹ Contribution from the North Appalachian Experimental Watershed, USDA, SEA-Agric. Res., Coshocton, Ohio, in cooperation with the Ohio Agric. Res. & Development Center, Wooster, Ohio; Institute of Soil Sci. & Forest Nutrition, George-August Univ.; and Institute of Agron. & Plant Breeding, George-August Univ., Goettingen, West Germany. This work was supported in part by an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation research grant to the senior author.

² Soil Scientist, USDA-SEA-AR; Research Soil Scientist, and Agronomist, George-August University, respectively.

Received for publication March 19, 1979. Accepted for publication June 12, 1979.

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