Simulated experiment on effect of soil bulk density on soil infiltration capacity

Effect of soil bulk density on soil infiltration capacity was explored through simulated experiments. The experimental soils were different in soil texture (sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam) and bulk density by artificially altering composition of soil particle fractions. Infiltration capacity of experimental soils decreased along with increasing soil bulk density. The stable infiltration rate had negative correlation of logarithmic function with soil bulk density. The 120 min-cumulative infiltration showing negative correlation of power function with soil bulk density for sandy loam, and negative linear correlation for medium loam and clay loam. The parameter of Kostiakov infiltration equation which meaned initial infiltration rate decreased along with increasing soil bulk density, and the other parameter which meaned infiltration decaying rate increased. The results showed that the capacity of initial infiltration rate went down and the infiltration decaying rate went up along with increasing soil bulk density. The results provided the theoretical basis for soil improvement and rainfall utilization.