Infiltration and Percolation Quiz: Test Water Movement Knowledge

Which process is crucial for successful irrigation and water conservation in rainfed agriculture?

What is the term for the downward movement of water through the soil profile?

What is the term for the lateral movement of water?

What does hydraulic conductivity measure?

What are the 3 stages of infiltration?

Which term is used interchangeably with hydraulic conductivity?

What does a high antecedent moisture condition cause?

What does cumulative infiltration refer to?

What does vegetal cover do in relation to infiltration?

What determines the degree of swelling upon wetting in soil?

What increases the rate of surface entry and porosity of the plowed layer?

What does surface sealing or pudding of soil cause?

What does standing water above the soil surface refer to?

What influences the characteristics of surface runoff and interflow?

What can improve soil structure hence increase infiltration?

Infiltration and Water Conservation in Rainfed Agriculture

Infiltration is a crucial process for successful irrigation and water conservation in rainfed agriculture.

Water Movement in Soil

The downward movement of water through the soil profile is termed percolation.
The lateral movement of water is termed throughflow.

Hydraulic Conductivity

Hydraulic conductivity measures the ability of the soil to transmit water.
Permeability is used interchangeably with hydraulic conductivity.

Infiltration Stages

The three stages of infiltration are:
- Ponding: initial rapid infiltration
- Absorption: gradual infiltration
- Redistribution: slowest infiltration rate

Factors Affecting Infiltration

A high antecedent moisture condition causes a decrease in infiltration rate.
Cumulative infiltration refers to the total amount of water infiltrated over a period of time.
Vegetal cover increases infiltration by reducing surface runoff and improving soil structure.

Soil Properties

The degree of swelling upon wetting in soil is determined by the type of clay minerals present.
Tillage or plowing increases the rate of surface entry and porosity of the plowed layer.

Soil Surface Conditions

Surface sealing or pudding of soil causes a reduction in infiltration rate.
Standing water above the soil surface refers to surface storage or ponding.

Surface Runoff and Interflow

The characteristics of surface runoff and interflow are influenced by factors such as slope, soil texture, and vegetal cover.

Improving Soil Structure

Organic matter can improve soil structure, hence increase infiltration.

Test your knowledge about the infiltration and percolation of water into the soil surface. Understand the importance of these processes in irrigation, water conservation, drainage, and flood control.