Drip irrigation wetting patterns and nitrate distribution: comparison between electrical resistivity (ERI), dye tracer, and 2D soil–water modelling approaches

摘要: Despite the widespread use of drip irrigation and fertigation, there is limited research on soil wetting patterns nutrient distribution from emitters in agricultural soils. We compared electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) with dye tracer patterns, measured nitrate distribution, modelled changes moisture a commercial apple orchard southern Tasmania. Time-lapse two-dimensional ERI revealed plumes beneath ranged nil infiltration, to infiltration beyond 1.0 m depth. Lack some was attributed runoff caused by either water repellence or surface leaf mulch, whilst depth preferential flow processes. The uncalibrated ERT unable discern separate contributions solute concentration, content temperature change resistivity. study majority fertigated retained A1 horizon, infiltrated much deeper into A2 B2 horizons. 2D modelling not able replicate variations demonstrated ERT, principally due lumped nature parameterisation, inability model simulate flow. As such, tools texture-based guidelines for design management recommended texture contrast