Numerical simulation and validation of soil water movement under subsurface drip irrigation with point-source emitter

Based on the theory of soil water dynamics and by means of computer simulation, a two-dimensional axial-symmetrical model was developed by using Hydrus-2D software. Some soil water movement conditions under subsurface drip irrigation with point-source emitter were calculated and compared. Results of simulation were verified by the measurement of soil moisture content, water front, cumulative infiltration and infiltration rate in laboratory test. The results showed that the simulation results agreed well with measurement values. The relative error between simulated and measured values is less 10% and so the predictability of the model is acceptable.