Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation Purposes in parts of Minna Sheet 164, North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Assessing groundwater quality for sustainable agricultural through irrigation farming cannot be over-emphasized. Groundwater quality assessment for irrigation purposes was carried out in part of Minna Sheet 164, North-central Nigeria. Borehole samples were collected from boreholes and sent to the laboratory for the following analysis; pH, total dissolved solid and electrical conductance, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, carbonate, sulphate, chlorine and bicarbonate. The pH ranged from 6.5 to 7.4, total dissolved solids varied from 20.4 mg/L to 124.5 mg/L while the electrical conductivity varies from 32.5 µs/cm to 250.0 µs/cm. the concentrations of these physical parameters are important criteria for suitability of water for agricultural purposes as water with low pH, high values of electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids is not good for irrigation. Also, the results of the major cations and anions were converted to meq/l from mg/l and used to determine the following index properties for irrigation water; Sodium Adsorption Ration, Soluble Sodium Percentage, Magnesium Adsorption Ratio, Plasticity Index, Residual Sodium Bicarbonate and Kelly’s Ratio. The values of the computed irrigation quality parameters are within their respective allowable limit for good to excellent water for irrigation use. The study has established that groundwater resources within the study area are suitable for irrigation. It is therefore recommended farmers in these localities should be sensitized to explore groundwater resources in their domain through hand-dug wells or boreholes to supplement the short-lived rain-farming. This will ensure an all year-round farming and availability of farm products and guaranty food security in the state.