USDA LTAR Common Experiment measurement: Infiltration and percolation v1

Infiltration refers to water entering the soil from precipitation, condensation, irrigation, and surface flow (runoff). It is typically used to quantify water arriving at the root zone of plants (example application: plant water availability). Percolation, while verbally synonymous with infiltration, is typically used to quantify water leaving the root zone for deeper soil horizons (example application: agrochemical leachate). Both processes occur when the soil is near saturation, relying on the continuity of the water column for the downward movement of water.