Comparative Evaluation of Analytic Solutions in Predicting Soil Moisture Profiles in Vertical One-Dimensional Infiltration under Ponded and Constant Flux Boundary Conditions

The problem of vertical one-dimensional infiltration for both ponded and constant flux boundary conditions was studied through the use of existing analytic solutions. Main objective was to compare the soil moisture profile developed under constant flux boundary condition at the time of ponding $$\theta _R \left( {{\rm Z},T} \right)$$ , with that moisture profile developed under ponded conditions at an earlier time $$\theta _F \left( {{\rm Z},t_C } \right)$$ . Time t C denotes the time when the decreasing infiltration rate for the ponded conditions becomes equal to the constant flux q , applied for the constant flux case. One might state that the analytical solutions, for both cases do not give identical profiles. An approximate coincidence might be brought about through a modification in the diffusivity which, in many respects, seems justified. Practical outcome of the above analysis is the determination of the time of ponding T, after which surface runoff starts, for the constant flux case. This is of practical significance either under natural conditions of rainfall or under conditions of sprinkle-irrigation, since surface runoff is directly related with soil erosion and waste of irrigation water. Therefore any attempt to determine the time of ponding T is well merited. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 1997