DETERMINATION OF SOIL WETTING PATTERN USING FAMILY DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM ON SANDY LOAM SOIL TEXTURE

The study was conducted to determine the wetting patterns of sandy loam soil texture using the family drip irrigation system at Block 9 Lot 5 Capitol Residences, Alabel, Sarangani Province. Specifically, it aims to determine the wetted surface diameter, wetted cross-sectional area, and wetted depth at any given time. The system is to operate for up to 2hrs and 5min of irrigation continuously. There are five emitters used for parameter measurement. The data were averaged from five replication. At the first 25mins of irrigating, the wetted pattern and wetted depth of the soil formed in treatment one from E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5 were measured and recorded. The same parameter was used for the next four 25mins. Results showed that from the start of irrigation up to the end of the application period, measurement gathered from wetted cross-sectional diameter was higher compared to the other wetting patterns. This higher result is attributed to the fact that the soil was relatively dry and the horizontal capillary action of the infiltrated water was prominent in the cross-sectional area of the sandy loam soil texture. Therefore, the soil matrix places a higher force on the water by adhesion and capillarity. Moreover, during the individual duration of time, the domination of wetted cross-sectional diameter is still highly noticeable compared to other wetting patterns. This trend of wetting patterns in the whole duration of the application period could mean that the horizontal capillary action of infiltrated water is more dominant in sandy loam soil texture.