Earthworms and furrow irrigation infiltration

Trout, T.J. and Johnson, G.S. (1989) Earthworms and furrow irrigation infiltration. Transaction of the ASAE. 32(5):1594-1598.

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Abstract

Infiltration rates into furrows in southcentral Idaho,
after decreasing toward a base rate, sometimes
increase. The increase is sometimes sufficient to cause
tailwater runoff to cease and the furrow stream to recede
up the furrow, resulting in poor water distribution. The
infiltration increase is caused by earthworms piercing the
furrow wetted perimeter during the irrigation allowing
water to enter and infiltrate from their extensive burrow
system. Low concentrations of aqua ammonia in the
irrigation water prevent the infiltration increase,
apparently by repelling the worms from the furrows.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0691
Subjects:	Irrigation > Furrow irrigation > Infiltration Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:53
Last Modified:	03 Jan 2017 20:59
Item ID:	525
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/525