Abstract

Soil hydraulic conductivity is a crucial parameter in modeling flow process in soils, water management strategies and determining distance between drainage networks. This study aims to investigate and assess hydraulic conductivity and its variation for soil layers under different tillage practices (fallow with non-leaching process, new cultivation with leached soil, first and second Ratoon) in sugarcane fields of “Mirza Kochak Khan” agro-industry unit, Khuzistan, southern province of Iran. Sampling was conducted by Zigzag Method in four different depths, with five replications at each depth. Soil hydraulic conductivity was measured using Guelph permeameter. Analysis of the results indicated that the trend of changes in this parameter was observed from leached soil to the second Ratoon.

Key words: Soil hydraulic conductivity, sugarcane fields, zigzag method, Guelph permeameter.