Among the several equations that are proposed for simulation of infiltration, the Green-Ampt-Mein-Larson (GAML) model is one of the most used in hydrological studies as it is based on physical processes that occur in the soil during infiltration. However, some of its parameters do not match the real situation of the process of water infiltration in the soil. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of the GAML model, testing different methodologies for obtaining its parameters. The trials were carried out in a Podzol Tb Distrophic Haplic Cambisol, using a rain simulator, under field conditions, with and without mulch. Simulations were performed based on the combination of two methodologies for determination of soil water content in the transmission zone (θt), two for hydraulic conductivity in the transmission zone (θt) and three for the matric suction at the wetting front (ψf). The GAML model with its original parameters did not achieve good performance, overestimating the values of infiltration rate (Ti) and accumulated infiltration (I). Combinations using ψf values calculated by the equation of Risse et al. (1995) underestimated the whole time the values of Ti and I, under all surface conditions. The combination K0, θs and Cecílio (2005) equation showed the best results.
hydrology; simulation; infiltration
