Soil Leaching Simulation by Using HYDRUS2D Software

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

Proper management of saline soils needs adequate information about the amount and salt distribution in the root zone. Irrigation is one of the factors that control the distribution of salt. This study investigated soil leaching simulation by using HYDRUS2D Software based on the evaporation of soil surface of a land without plant located at Shahid Chamran University, Ahwaz, Iran. Samples were taken from three distances of 0, 20, and 40 cm from the drip irrigation emitter and 0-20, 20-40, 40-60 and 60-80 cm depths. Among the measured depths, the 20 – 40 cm layer was revealed as the best working depths with a salt content of 5.7 mg/cm3, while the depth of 60-80 cm had an average salinity of 10.87 mg/cm3, the highest salt content compared with the other depths.  Soil salinity decreased with time and irrigation. At the last irrigation, soil salinity under the dripper reached a salinity of 2.13 mg/cm3 that was 1/15 of the initial amount. Salts movement in soil and leaching simulation by HYDRUS2D software showed that this software simulated salt distribution well.

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