Novel Aggregate Stability and Infiltration Measurements and Demonstration Using the Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer.

The Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer is a portable dripper that, with two sets of accessories, can be used either to measure wet soil crumb aggregate stability or in-situ field infiltrability. Both of these are important soil quality indicators, as they have major agricultural and environmental implications and are strongly affected by land management practices. The Infiltrometer allows for application of simulated rainfall at a wide range of predetermined rates. It is used in the laboratory for wet aggregate stability measurement that is part of the Cornell Soil Health Test package. This portable device can also be used to demonstrate wet aggregate stability in the field.  

For aggregate stability measurement a constant drip rate is supplied to sieves containing air-dry 0.25 – 2 mm aggregates. Percent stable aggregates remaining on the sieve after 5 minutes are determined. For soil infiltrability measurement, the Infiltrometer is placed onto a single 241-mm (9 1/2") inner diameter infiltration ring inserted into field soil. Water supplied and water running off are measured over time. For both measurements, the dripper wets the soil in a more natural manner than is the case for the respective current standard methods used to measure these properties. Soil slaking from instantaneous ponding/saturation is eliminated. Main advantages with respect to field measurement and demonstration use of the equipment are low cost, high portability, the possibility of rapid measurements by a single person, easy calibration for a wide range of simulated rainfall rates, and conservative water use. We will demonstrate the use of this equipment for both measurements.