Field method for estimating hydraulic conductivity and matric potential water content relations.

A method using 'drippers' is based on the observation that when water is applied at a constant rate to a point on the soil surface, a ponded zone is created that approaches a constant area in a short time. Thus, steady-state solutions of the 2-dimensional flow equation can be applied. The method can be performed on undisturbed field soil. Continuous measurements are possible at about the same site. Measurements of the change of soil water properties, with time, at the soil surface are easily made.-from Authors