Edafología. Volumen 7-2. Mayo 2000. pag 67-74.
Abstract
A study of the hydrological properties
of three of the most representative soils in the olive-producer
area of La Loma (Jaen) was carried out using a rain simulator.
Rain intensities of 40, 60, 80 and 100 mm h-1 were used. Starting
from dry soil conditions, soil-infiltration rate decreased, in
all cases, according to the logarithm of the experimentation time
untill reaching a constant value (final infiltration rate) which
was different depending on the rain intensity. The main parameters
that control the final infiltration rate for each rain intensity
are: accumulation of water on the surface of soils, particle-size,
structure and superficial stonyness. Final infiltration rate increased
on tilling soils in relation to non-tilling soils, but erosion
also increased. Stonyness of soil helped the infiltration and
reduced the erosion. The maximum rain intensity for which there
is no runoff and, therefore,no erosion either, was more related
to the particle-size of the surface horizons than to the tillage.
Key words: Olive grove, rain simulation, infiltration, runoff, erosion.