DETERMINATION OF SOIL WETTING PATTERN USING FAMILY DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM (FDS) ON SANDY CLAY LOAM SOIL TEXTURE CONDITION.

The study was conducted to determine the soil wetting pattern of sandy clay loam texture using the family drip irrigation system. Specifically, it aims to determine the wetted surface diameter, wetted cross-sectional diameter, and wetted depth at any given time. The family drip irrigation system was operated at 2hr and 5min. There were five emitters used in each lateral and designated as E1, E2, E3, E4, and Es. The average value for data collected was determined from five replications. At the first 25 min of irrigation, the wetting pattern in lateral 1 from E1, E2, E3, E4, and Es was determined and recorded. The same procedure was used for the remaining four 25 minutes. Results showed that from the first 25 min of application, the wetted soil surface diameter revealed the highest value compared to other parameters. The high values of wetted soil surface diameter and low values of wetted soil depth and cross-sectional diameter are attributed to the soil texture which is sandy clay loam with low permeability. The initial moisture content of the sandy clay loam soil before operating the irrigation system was 9.4%. The shape formed by the wetted surface diameter, wetted depth, and wetted cross-sectional area was close to an ellipsoidal shape. These results conform to the related studies that the wetting pattern which developed from dripping water onto the soil depends on the discharge and soil type.