Assessment of Soil Quality Irrigated With Surface Water, in Argungu Local Government Area
Chapter One
Research objective
The general objective of the this study is to assess the quality of water used for irrigation and soil properties for the production of onion and tomato in Argungu -Kebbi state, Nigeria, while the specific objectives are:
- To assess the chemical properties of water and their effects on horticultural crop production.
- To assess the physical-chemical properties of soils that are used by farmers on cropproduction
- To compare the chemical properties of water sources for irrigation (ground and surface water) on the soil
- To assess the farmer’s perception on onion and tomato production in relation to water sources used for irrigation and other inputs.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Water quality for irrigation
Understanding knowledge of irrigation water quality is critical to the management of water for long-term productivity. Irrigation water quality is related to its effects on soils and crops and its management. High quality crops can be produced only by using high-quality irrigation water keeping other inputs optimal. Characteristics of irrigation water that define its quality vary with the source of the water (APHA,2005). There are area differences in water characteristics, based mainly on geology and climate. There may also be great differences in the quality of water available on a local level depending on whether the source is from surface water bodies such as rivers and ponds or from groundwater aquifers with varying geology, and whether the water has been chemically treated (Ayers &Westcot,1994; Nahid et al.,2008). The chemical constituents of irrigation water can affect plant growth directly through toxicity or deficiency, or indirectly by altering nutrient availability to the plants (Ayers and Westcot, 1985; Rowe et al., 1995; Islam and Shamsad,2009).
Analytical procedures for the laboratory determinations of water quality have been given in several publications (USDA Handbook 60 by Richards, 1954; FAO Soils Bulletin 10 by Dewis and Freitas1970; APHA,2005). Table 1 shows the guidelines for interpretations of water quality for irrigation as given by Ayers and Westcot (1985).The chemicals guidelines given in Table 1 act as the management tools and practical guidelines that have been used successfully in general irrigated agriculture for evaluation of the common constituents in surface water, ground water, drainage water, sewage effluent and waste water. They are the first step in pointing out the quality limitations of the water supply. Also shown in Table 1 is the degree of restriction of chemical parameters on the use of irrigation water. A restriction on use indicates that there may be a limitation in choice of crop or special management need to maintain full production capability. However, a “restriction on use” does not indicate that the water is unsuitable for use.
Effect of Water quality on the soil properties and crop production
Effect of Water quality on crop production
Irrigation water whether of good quality or not, can have effect on plant growth, for example poor irrigation water quality with excess salt can damage plants in various ways, but the most common problems are caused by salts effecting osmotic relationship between the root and the soil moisture (Malash et al. ,2005).Water with high amount of salts can hinder the conversion of ammonium salts to nitrate by nitrifying micro- organisms in soil when used for irrigation.Furthermore, most of tomato plants are more sensitive to salt during seed germination, seedling growth and when flowering or fruiting. (Breckle, 1995). According to Breckle (1995) the seed and seedling stages are vulnerable not only because the plant structures are immature and delicate, but also because tiny roots system draw moisture and nutrients from the soil surface where salts tend to concentrate. A severe reduction in water infiltration rate due to water quality is usually related to either very low water salinity or to a high sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). In either case, the calcium content of the water may be at a relatively low concentration. If the calcium in the soil-water taken up by the crop is less than 2 me/l, there is a strong probability that the crop yield will be reduced due to a calcium deficiency (Rhoades, 1982).
Salinity is a measure of the total amount of salt in the water. When the salt levels are too high, a salinity hazard may exist. Salts in soil and/or water can reduce water availability to the crop to such an extent that yield can be affected. Electrical conductivity or Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) tests are two means of measuring salinity. Electrical conductivity is a useful and reliable index for the measurement of water salinity or TDS in water. Electrical conductivity in water is due to ionization of dissolved inorganic solids (minerals, salts, elements both cations and anions). The total amount of TDS should be used together with SAR. TDS levels below 700 mg/L and SAR below 4 are considered safe; TDS levels between 700 and 1,750 mg/L and SAR levels between 4 and 9 are considered slightly safe, while levels above these are considered hazardous to any crop. The properties of the soil, the ground water and the landscape interact with the salinity of the irrigation water to either increase or decrease the salinity hazard (Peterson, 1999).
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area
The sampling of water, soil samples and socioeconomic data collection were carried out in Argungu local government area, along Gulma stream which Pass through Argungu and Gulma in Kebbi state.
Climate of Kebbi state
Average maximum monthly temperatures range from 29.9°C in January to 39.6°C in May with average value of 34.5°C. The minimum average monthly temperatures vary from 13.3°C, in January, to 24.7°C in June with an average value of 20.3° C for the same period.
Rainfall is low normally around 386mm and is unequally distributed. The rainy season normally extends from June/July to September/October. However, the period between the first and last useful rains is limited to 70 to 90 days only (James, 1982).
Vegetation cover in Argungu
The study area falls within the low rainfall savannah on sandy soil (Qoz).The dominat vegetation is mainly composed of Acacia senegal (hashab),Balanites aegyptiaca (higlig), Ziziphus spina-christi (sidir), Adansonia digitata (tabaldi). The area is characterized by high density of Bocscia seneglensis (korsan), and Calotropis procera (Ushar). Among them, there are fruit trees such as (higlig , tabadi, sidir ) which contribute significantly to the income of farmers in Argungu local government area since they do not require inputs other than labor cost of gathering and marketing (Ministry of Agriculture,1999).
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter presents the results and discussion of the study in three broad sections. That is section 4.1 water chemical properties, section 4.2 soil chemical and some physical properties and section 4.3 on the analysis of farmer’s perception on the challenges of horticultural production in Argungu.
CHAPTER FIVE
Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion
The objectives of this study were to assess the suitability of water used for irrigation in the production of horticultural crops as drawn from sub-surface and surface sources in dry and wet seasons, effect of this water on soil chemical properties, and farmers’ perception on onion and tomato production in relation to water source for irrigation and crop yields. From the results of this study, the following conclusions were reached:
- That the chemical properties of water used for irrigation both from sub-surface and surface sources did not differ significantly and that their chemical values were within the limits acceptable for irrigation and crop production. However continuous use of this water especially that from sub-surface, in dry season may lead to sodicification of the
- That the seasonal water application had some slight influence on soil chemical properties, more especially in the wet season where concentrations of cations (Na,Ca,Mg,K)were slightly lower than those in the dry season. Soils in the dry season, however, exhibited higher pH and bicarbonates than those in the wet season.
- That soils generally were of low soil fertility with very low values of N and P, and in some cases
- Perception of farmers in horticultural crops production was found to be very low both in terms of inputs usage, knowledge in farming, and poorly facilitated in terms of funding and extension
Recommendations
- Regular check up of water used for irrigation for chemical properties is very necessary in order to monitor its saltcontents
- Use of inorganic and organic fertilizers to this very poor soil is mandatory in order to increase its
- The Government and as well as NGOs must come up with a policy/programme of educating farmers on modern farming methods through extension service to reach as many farmers as possible and to advise them accordingly to increase horticultural crops production.
- Extension service to horticultural crops growing farmers to be
- Government to assist farmers in credit procurement in order to boost crop production
- More research to be carried out especially in the farmers’fields as away of educating farmers on the good practices of horticultural crops
REFERENCES
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- Ayres, R. S. and Westcot, D. W., (1985). Water Quality forAgriculture.FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No.29.Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. pp. 1-117.