Is there a link between hydraulic conductivity of the subsoil and classification according to the soil map of Belgium?

Soil classification as implemented on the soil map of Belgium displays a wealth of information about texture class, drainage status and profile evolution. A logical question in context of water management at the regional or local scale is; can infiltration characteristics be derived from this map? In winter-period 2014-2015 saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) was determined in the subsoil of 38 locations in Flanders. In every texture class, as indicated on the soil map (A, P, L, E, Z, Zg), minimal 5 locations were selected. Ksat was measured in situ, in the B horizon, in 16 replications using 4 different measurement protocols; open end, single ring, Porchet and soakaway. In 17 locations soil texture of the B horizon, determined by granulometric analysis, corresponded with texture class indicated on the Belgian soil map. An ANOVA analysis of all data revealed only a difference between Ksat measured in Z textured soil and all other soil textures. No further distinction based on texture class could be observed. There was no correlation between Ksat and the measurement protocol. Variation between measurement locations in the same texture class was very high, up to tenfold the average value. There was no link between Ksat of the subsoil and drainage status. The survey illustrates that for estimation of Ksat field measurements are preferred before a general classification linked to soil texture.