Important differences in Irrigation terms - flow of water in soil

Infiltration ( simply the movement of water into soil)

First entry of water from the upper layer of soil, generally occurs in unsaturated soil.

Percolation

Vertical or downward movement of water from different soil layer, generally occurs in water saturated soil.



Seepage

It is the horizontal flow of water in irrigation channels or through canals

Leaching

Downward movement of nutrients and salts from the root zone with the water.

Runoff

The flow of excess water from the field after saturation of soil