SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF SOIL HYDRAULIC PROPERTIES IN JIBIA IRRIGATION PROJECT, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA
Knowledge of the soil hydro-physical properties of any irrigation site is crucial in soil quality assessment and its management. This study was conducted to assess the aforementioned properties in the Jibia Irrigation Dam of Katsina, a Sudano-Sahelian region in Nigeria. After employing the grid s...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Editura Universităţii din Oradea
2022-11-01
|
| Series: | Natural Resources and Sustainable Development |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://nrsdj.com/papers/2022-2/04.+Sani+Sufiyanu.pdf |
| Summary: | Knowledge of the soil hydro-physical properties of any irrigation site is crucial in soil quality
assessment and its management. This study was conducted to assess the aforementioned properties in
the Jibia Irrigation Dam of Katsina, a Sudano-Sahelian region in Nigeria. After employing the grid
soil sampling approach 144 samples were obtained and analyzed, the data obtained were subjected to
descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and maps were created using the kriging technique. Findings
were used to conclude the higher presence of sandy textured soils (loamy sand to sandy texture),
Average Moisture content at Field Capacity (FC) of 0.332 %, Permanent Wilting Point (PWP) of 0.222
% and Available Water (AW) of 0.192 % were observed to be low with high Hydraulic conductivity
making the soil require frequent irrigation. Semivariogram analysis showed that moisture content at
FC and AW had weak spatial dependence (nugget-sill ratio > 75 %), moisture content at PWP had
moderate spatial dependence (nugget-sill ratio, 25 – 75 %) while Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity
(Ks) had strong spatial dependence (nugget-sill ratio <25 %). Linear, Gaussian, Exponential and
models were used for hydraulic parameters based on nugget. Mean prediction error and root mean
square values it was found the exponential model was the best fit for moisture content at FC, PWP and
AW. While the quadratic model was the best fit for Ks. Sound management practices were recommended
in terms of agricultural use of the soil in the study area. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2066-6276 2601-5676 |