Hydrodynamic Border Irrigation Model: Comparison of Infiltration Equations

Abstract

The variation in moisture content between subsequent irrigations determines the use of infiltration equations that contain representative physical parameters of the soil when irrigation begins. This study analyzes the reliability of the hydrodynamic model to simulate the advanced phase in border irrigation. For the solution of the hydrodynamic model, a Lagrangian scheme in implicit finite differences is used, while for infiltration, the Kostiakov equation and the Green and Ampt equation are used and compared. The latter was solved using the Newton–Raphson method due to its implicit nature. The models were validated, and unknown parameters were optimized using experimental data available in the literature and the Levenberg–Marquardt method. The results show that it is necessary to use infiltration equations based on soil parameters, because in subsequent irrigations, the initial conditions change, modifying the advance curve in border irrigation. From the coupling of both equations, it is shown that the empirical Kostiakov equation is only representative for a specific irrigation event, while with the Green and Ampt equations, the subsequent irrigations can be modeled, and the advance/infiltration process can be observed in detail.

Study of the Soil Water Movement in Irrigated Agriculture Ⅱ

“…To date, extensive research has been conducted on the role of several soil, climate, and plant parameters, as well as on the characteristics of irrigation methods affecting their efficiency. Knowledge of these parameters, their role, and their interaction could help in studying water movement in irrigated agriculture and in developing simulation models of surface irrigation, subsurface irrigation, or the pointwise application of water under high-pressure conditions [2][3][4].…”

“…This Special Issue of Water contains seven papers covering many aspects of the abovementioned challenges [2][3][4][5][6][7][8], and a wide range of different regions and conditions.…”

“…Fuentes et al [2] investigated the reliability of the hydrodynamic model in simulating the advanced phase in border irrigation. To solve the hydrodynamic model, the Kostiakov, and Green and Ampt infiltration equations were used and compared.…”