TITLE:
Estimation of Infiltration Models’ Parameters Using Regression Analysis in Irrigation Fields of Northern Ghana
AUTHORS:
Abdallah Salifu, Felix. K. Abagale, Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic
KEYWORDS:
Parameter, Infiltration Model, Regression, Sorptivity, Transmissivity
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Soil Science,
Vol.11 No.3,
March
16,
2021
ABSTRACT: The quantification of soil
infiltration is necessary for the estimation of water accessibility in soils
for plant growth and development. Field infiltration tests runs were conducted on
agricultural soils in three irrigation sites of Northern Ghana. The field data
were fitted into Green and Ampt, Kostiakov, Philip, Holtan, Soil Conservation
Service and Horton infiltration models for the determination of the unknown model
parameters. Regression analysis at 95% confidence level using GraphPad Prism 8.
Laboratory and field data on infiltration were used for the model fitting and
the unknown parameters were determined using the calibrated models. The k and n parameters of Kostiakov model at
Bontanga study site were found to be k = 28.0027 and n = 0.5902, k = 17.0294 and n = 0.4504 for Golinga and k = 23.0356 and n = 0.6339 for Libga. For all the models, the coefficient of determination ranged
from 0.7612 to 0.9876 indicating strong relationships. Only Holtan model gave
different values at all the three study sites. The parameter GIa and ic of the Holtan model drawn
from hydrologic soil group were the same at all the study sites because of the
same vegetative cover and surface conditions. The study observed the values of
the parameters to have influenced the models’ performance.