Assessment of the Suitability of Water Quality for Irrigation in Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Irrigated agriculture is dependent on an adequate water supply of usable quality. Therefore, water samples were collected from Chanchaga River and Mechanic Village River in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria to evaluate their suitability for irrigation purpose. The analytical results shows that the Electrical conductivity (EWc), Total dissolve solids (TDS), Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and specific ion toxicities of water from Chanchaga River (ECw = 0.60 ds m-1, TDS = 384 mg L-1and SAR = 4.72) were of excellent quality and considered to be highly suitable without any restriction on the use. Water from Mechanic Village River (ECw = 1.02 ds m-1, TDS = 653 mg L-1and SAR = 7.09) will be highly suitable under proper management such as improved irrigation system and schedule, light soil with good infiltration and internal drainage and plant with good salt tolerant. The variation in chemical composition of the two irrigation water sources could be attributed to the fact that the Mechanic Village water source is located within Minna metropolis. The additions from waste waters (domestic sewage and municipal), dirt and suspended inorganic matter and automobile effluents from Mechanic workshops could contributes to the high levels of salinity, SAR and specific ion toxicities of the irrigation water.