Abstract
Nearly all waters contain dissolved salts and trace elements, many of which result from the natural weathering of the earth's surface in addition, drainage waters from irrigated lands and effluent from city sewage and industrial wastewater can impact water quality. In most irrigation situations the primary water quality concern is salinity levels, since salts can affect both the soil structure and crop yield. However, several trace elements are found in water which can limit its use for irrigation. Irrigation water quality has great significance, especially in arid and semi-arid regions and it is based on salinity and permeability. In this research, water samples were collected in a dry season from Bakalori Dam Irrigation Schemes in Zamfara State Nigeria. Electronic Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Total Hardness (TH) tests in accordance with APHA 2005, standard methods for examination of water and wastewater were conducted to determine the Salinity level in irrigation water. The result shows that the average value of EC is 5.22dS/m, while TDS value is found to be 357mg/l and the TH value is 105.42mg/l. WHAT IS THE IMPLICATION OF THIS FINDING? This means that both the TDH and TH values are within the acceptable limits and have no any harmful to crop growth, but the value of EC will definitely affects the plant growth and reduce the quantity of crops during harvesting, but this can be minimized through the planting of field crops, planting on the shoulder row and using of sloping bed method. However leaching fraction can also take care of the excess amount of EC in the irrigation water.
Keywords: Irrigation, Electronic Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Total Hardness (TH)
Publication Date: 2024-07-03