predicting saturated hydraulic conductivity using soil physical and morphological properties in Abadan

Soil hydraulic conductivity (K) is an important parameter in designing drainage systems and estimating water flow in soils, Although some methods are suggested for direct measurements of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) but they are usually time consuming and costly. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) is a valuable tool and indirect method to predict the Ks from the available soil data. The purpose of this research was to derive the best PTF that can predict saturated hydraulic conductivity values from the available parameters in Abadan. After basic studies drainage include logging (determination of texture, color, resistance to drilling, stickiness and plasticity) and determination of watertable, saturated hydraulic conductivity was measured on the soil columns using Ernest auger hole method then by exact semidetailed soil survey, morphological characteristics such as structure were specified as well, some physical and chemical properties of soil were measured, Geometric mean diameter (dg) and geometric standard deviation of soil particles (dg) were calculated by the exist equations. The multiple linear and nonlinear regression methods were used to develop the pedotransfer functions by using soil structure class, geometric mean diameter (dg), porosity and depth. From these four pedotransfer functions which were derived , the results indicated that accuracy of the derived PTF with R2=0.955 can predict the saturated hydraulic conductivity well from these four parameters and it can be used for primary estimation in order to design of irrigated poject.