Effects of species composition on the infiltration capacity of soil
Effects of species composition on the infiltration capacity of soil
Mazhar Iqbal, Ashar Farooq, Zulfiqar Ali Sheikh and Waseem Abbas
ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to determine the effects of different species composition on infiltration capacity of soil. The study area was divided into three zones, namely, Zone-I: Pure Chir (Pinus roxburghii) Zone, Zone-II: Chir and Robinia (Robinia pseuodocacia) Mix Zone, and Zone-III: Pure Robinia Zone. Twenty (20) sample plots were established randomly in each zone for determination of infiltration capacity. Double Ring Infiltrometer was used to collect the required information on each sample plot.
The infiltration rate for Zone-I, Zone-II and Zone-III was in the range of 5.72 to 23.84 cm/hr; 5.54 to 40.18 cm/hr; and 6.20 to 45.98 cm/hr. Maximum infiltration rate; 45.98, 40.18 and 23.84 cm/hr for Zone-III, Zone-II and Zone-I, was observed at the 2nd minute. The lowest reading for infiltration rate was at the 80th minutes of reading corresponding to 5.72, 5.54 and 6.20 cm/hr for Zone-I, Zone-II and Zone-III respectively.
The soil of the study area varies from loam to sandy loam. The soil analysis, carried out at the soil laboratory of PFI, reveals that the organic matter in the soil is in the range of 6.16 to 12.56%. The soil is acidic with pH value of 5.02 to 6.2. The bulk density of soil is in the range of 0.87 to 1.26 gm/cm3
The F-value (5.30) of ANNOVA indicates significant difference among the mean infiltration values (P< 0.05) of Zone-I, Zone-II and Zone-III. Hence it can be inferred that the mean infiltration rate of Zone-III was higher than Zone-II and Zone-I. Key Words: Chir, Robinia, infiltration rate, bulk density
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