PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL PLOTS FOR DRIP IRRIGATION SET UP

Abstract

With a view to knowing the suitability of selected experimental plots in Makurdi for drip irrigation set up, physicochemical and hydraulic parameters of the soil from the plot were determined. Samples were collected at depths 0-15cm and 16 30 cm from five randomly chosen points on three plots each of 7m by 7m. The collected samples were subjected to laboratory analysis. Parameters determined were particle size, pH, organic carbon, organic matter, nitrogen,phosphorus, SAR, hydraulic conductivity, moisture content and total porosity. Results showed that the hydraulic parameters of the soil from the plots make them suitable for drip irrigation though plot two has better hydraulic properties and is expected to have more efficiency under drip irrigation. Inter- elemental correlation revealed some negative and positive correlation among the parameters. For instance, hydraulic conductivity has strong negative correlation with organic matter and bulk density. These are attributed to high clay content of organic matter which tends to block soil pores and reduce the porosity and also closeness of the particle which may inform high bulk density and therefore low porosity. It is recommended that salinity and sodicity of the plots be taken into consideration if repeated drip irrigation will be carried out on the plots.