The marked reduction in infiltration rate caused by formation of a soil seal due to water droplets impact
on gypsifereous soil surface is a well-known phenomenon, but is rarely considered in infiltration models, especially under center-pivot irrigation systems. A simple empirical model based on the Kostiakov
equation was developed. The model was applied to center-pivot irrigation system for soils with different
gypsum contents [60.0 (G1), 137.6 (G2), 275.2 (G3), 314.2 (G4), and 486.0 (G5) g kg−1] under two sprinkler application rates (84.6 mm h−1 for R3000 red-plate sprinkler and 47.3 mm h−1 for R3000 orange-plate
sprinkler) and eight successive irrigation events. The impacts of sprinkler droplets kinetic energy as well
as specific power on soil surface sealing were evaluated also. A good agreement (P < 0.05) between the
measured and predicted infiltration rate values was obtained.