Abstract
The present study analyses the effect of sodicity on unsaturated soil hydraulic properties. Permeameter and pressure plate experiments were conducted on six texturally different soils at varying sodicity levels to obtain saturated hydraulic conductivity and van Genuchten soil–water retention parameters. The results show that soils retain less water with high soil–water sodicity relative to low sodicity at the same matric suction. The van Genuchten water retention parameter obtained from the experimental water retention curves increased in fine-textured soils with an increase in sodicity. In coarse-textured soils, no significant trend was observed. However, the value of parameter increased in all soil samples. Hydraulic conductivity reduced in fine-textured soils and increased in coarse-textured soils with an increase in sodicity. The simulation of a hypothetical infiltration event at different sodicity levels indicated that the wetting front movement slows down with an increase in the sodicity level for fine-textured soils, whereas the wetting front moves at a faster rate in coarse-textured soils with an increase in sodicity level. Gravity drainage simulations indicate that there is a buildup of soil moisture storage in fine-textured soils with an increase in soil–water sodicity due to reduced gravity drainage and drying of the soil profile in coarse-textured soils due to increased gravity drainage. This study is useful to better manage irrigation scheduling in saline conditions.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during this study are available from the corresponding author by request.
1.
Sieve analysis and hydrometer test data for textural analysis.
2.
Soil–water retention data obtained through pressure plate experiments.
3.
Saturated hydraulic conductivity data obtained through permeability apparatus.
Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to Dr. Garry Grabow, The Editor, Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering (ASCE), and the two anonymous reviewers whose constructive reviews and suggestions have immensely enhanced the clarity of the manuscript. The authors also acknowledge the support received from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India.
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Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 146 • Issue 5 • May 2020
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©2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 12, 2019
Accepted: Oct 24, 2019
Published online: Feb 29, 2020
Published in print: May 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Jul 29, 2020
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