Use of Pedotransfer Functions in the Rosetta Model to Determine Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ks) of Arable Soils: A Case Study

A key parameter for the design of soil drainage and irrigation facilities modelling surface runoff erosion phenomena in land-formed areas is saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks). There are many methods determining its value. In situ laboratory measurements commonly regarded as most accurate direct methods; however, they costly time-consuming. Alternatives can be found increasingly popular models pedotransfer functions (PTFs), which used rapid determination hydrophysical parameters. This study presents an analysis Ks values obtained from conducted using a double-ring infiltrometer (DRI). The were permeability meter (LPM) estimated five PTFs Rosetta program, based on easily accessible input data, i.e., type, content various grain sizes %, density, water at 2.5 4.2 pF, respectively. degrees matching between results PTF investigated root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), coefficient (R2). statistical relationships tested variables confirmed Spearman’s rank correlation (rho). Data showed that only significantly correlated with tests intact samples; much higher. high sensitivity to biotic abiotic factors, especially upper horizons, did not allow satisfactory match those PTFs. contrast, measurements, significant values, by PTF-2 PTF-5; best was PTF-2.