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Comparison of alternative farming systems. I. Infiltration techniques

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

S.D. Logsdon ,
J.K. Radke  and
D.L. Karlen
S.D. Logsdon
Affiliation:
Soil Scientists, USDA-ARS, National Soil Tilth Laboratory, 2150 Pammel Dr., Ames, IA 50011.
J.K. Radke
Affiliation:
Soil Scientists, USDA-ARS, National Soil Tilth Laboratory, 2150 Pammel Dr., Ames, IA 50011.
D.L. Karlen
Affiliation:
Soil Scientists, USDA-ARS, National Soil Tilth Laboratory, 2150 Pammel Dr., Ames, IA 50011.
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Abstract

Quantitative data are needed to understand how alternative farming practices affect surface infiltration of water and associated surface soil properties. We used a rainfall simulator, double ring infiltrometer, small single ring infiltrometers, and tension infiltrometers to measure water infiltration for Clarion loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll) and for Webster silty clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquoll) soils located on a conventionally-managed and an alternatively-managed farm in central Iowa. Steady-state measurements suggested that infiltration rates were somewhat higher for the alternative farming system. Bulk densities were sometimes lower, and volume of large pores was a little higher for the alternative farming system. Small single rings were more reproducible than rainfall simulators or double ring infiltrometers, and data trends were the same as for rainfall simulators.

Keywords

macroporesalternative agriculture
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , March 1993 , pp. 15 - 20
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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