Deep blade loosening and two-dimensional infiltration theory make furrow irrigation predictable, simpler and more efficient

•Deep blade loosening retained tilth porosity: shallow cultivation and no-tillage did not.•Deep blade loosened soil created larger lateral than vertical sorptivity.•Deep blade loosened soil required less water and time to wet bed centres.•Philip’s two dimensional theory described infiltration in all three soil management treatments.•A new irrigation practice will improve irrigation efficiency and effectiveness.