Use of dimensionless time and water volume to estimate subsurface drip irrigation wetted zone in different soil textures
Abstract Accurate estimation of the geometric characteristics of the wetted zone, including depth, height, and width, is crucial for optimizing subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system design and management. This study evaluated and compared two dimensionless analysis models—based on dimensionless ti...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07841-6 |
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| author | Ali Shabani Ali Reza Sepaskhah Mohammad Golestani Vahid Shahabi Zad |
| author_facet | Ali Shabani Ali Reza Sepaskhah Mohammad Golestani Vahid Shahabi Zad |
| author_sort | Ali Shabani |
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| description | Abstract Accurate estimation of the geometric characteristics of the wetted zone, including depth, height, and width, is crucial for optimizing subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system design and management. This study evaluated and compared two dimensionless analysis models—based on dimensionless time and dimensionless water volume—for predicting the wetted zone parameters in three soil textures: sandy loam, loam, and clay loam. The dimensionless time-based (DTB) model incorporated parameters such as initial soil water content (ISWC), dripper flow rate, and alpha value (the reciprocal of the macroscopic length scale in hydraulic conductivity function), while the dimensionless water volume-based (DWVB) model used ISWC, saturated hydraulic conductivity, dripper flow rate, and installation depth. Experimental data were collected using a glass box setup with varying soil textures, dripper flow rates, and different ISWC conditions. Statistical indices, including NRMSE, MRE, EF, and R², were used to assess model performance. Results indicated that the DTB model outperforms the DWVB model, demonstrating higher accuracy in predicting wetted zone dimensions across all soil types. The study highlighted the influence of soil texture on water movement, with finer-textured soils exhibiting greater lateral spread due to higher matric suction, while coarser soils showed deeper vertical infiltration. The findings provided valuable insights for improving SDI system design and management, particularly in diverse soil conditions. |
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| id | doaj-art-234cbfe118c44e95b50100c1dbe57e7c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-234cbfe118c44e95b50100c1dbe57e7c2025-08-20T04:01:36ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-07841-6Use of dimensionless time and water volume to estimate subsurface drip irrigation wetted zone in different soil texturesAli Shabani0Ali Reza Sepaskhah1Mohammad Golestani2Vahid Shahabi Zad3Department of Water Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Fasa UniversityIrrigation Department, Shiraz UniversityDepartment of Mathematics, Fasa UniversityIrrigation Department, Shiraz UniversityAbstract Accurate estimation of the geometric characteristics of the wetted zone, including depth, height, and width, is crucial for optimizing subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system design and management. This study evaluated and compared two dimensionless analysis models—based on dimensionless time and dimensionless water volume—for predicting the wetted zone parameters in three soil textures: sandy loam, loam, and clay loam. The dimensionless time-based (DTB) model incorporated parameters such as initial soil water content (ISWC), dripper flow rate, and alpha value (the reciprocal of the macroscopic length scale in hydraulic conductivity function), while the dimensionless water volume-based (DWVB) model used ISWC, saturated hydraulic conductivity, dripper flow rate, and installation depth. Experimental data were collected using a glass box setup with varying soil textures, dripper flow rates, and different ISWC conditions. Statistical indices, including NRMSE, MRE, EF, and R², were used to assess model performance. Results indicated that the DTB model outperforms the DWVB model, demonstrating higher accuracy in predicting wetted zone dimensions across all soil types. The study highlighted the influence of soil texture on water movement, with finer-textured soils exhibiting greater lateral spread due to higher matric suction, while coarser soils showed deeper vertical infiltration. The findings provided valuable insights for improving SDI system design and management, particularly in diverse soil conditions.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07841-6Soil particlesWetted area parametersDripper discharge |
| spellingShingle | Ali Shabani Ali Reza Sepaskhah Mohammad Golestani Vahid Shahabi Zad Use of dimensionless time and water volume to estimate subsurface drip irrigation wetted zone in different soil textures Scientific Reports Soil particles Wetted area parameters Dripper discharge |
| title | Use of dimensionless time and water volume to estimate subsurface drip irrigation wetted zone in different soil textures |
| title_full | Use of dimensionless time and water volume to estimate subsurface drip irrigation wetted zone in different soil textures |
| title_fullStr | Use of dimensionless time and water volume to estimate subsurface drip irrigation wetted zone in different soil textures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Use of dimensionless time and water volume to estimate subsurface drip irrigation wetted zone in different soil textures |
| title_short | Use of dimensionless time and water volume to estimate subsurface drip irrigation wetted zone in different soil textures |
| title_sort | use of dimensionless time and water volume to estimate subsurface drip irrigation wetted zone in different soil textures |
| topic | Soil particles Wetted area parameters Dripper discharge |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07841-6 |
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