ABSTRACT
The infiltration characteristics of different land uses and topographic conditions were studied in the Aobao watershed in the loess area of China. Based on 32 groups of field infiltration experiments, three infiltration equations, Koctakob (KE), Hortom (HE) and Universal (UE) equations were evaluated. In the transient decreasing rate of infiltration, about 0-10 min, after infiltration began, the KE fit the measured data best. In the gradual change stage (about 10 to 70 min after infiltration began) the UE was best, while, for a steady infiltration state both the UE and HE did well. Land use and topographic condition had strong influences on infiltration rate. Infiltration rate of cultivated grassland was larger than that of natural grassland. In the same level terrace, the infiltration rate of cultivated sunflower was higher than that of cultivated millet. The infiltration rate of furrow tillage was higher than that of normal tillage.
