Soil’s infiltration characteristics remain important variables of consideration in irrigation systems designs as well as in soil and water management. This work was conducted to evaluate the performances of three different infiltration models (Kostiakov, Horton and Philip) in order to select a suitable model for use in determination of infiltration characteristics of soils neighbouring Bayero University, Kano-Nigeria. Experiments were conducted in three different locations within the study area and the performance of each model was analysed and compared against a direct measurement using double ring infiltrometer. The results showed no significant difference (Least significant difference = 0.29 @ 0.05 level of significance) between the direct measurement on field and the result obtained using Kostiakov and Horton’s model having mean infiltration rate of 1.05 and 1.04cm per minutes respectively, while the Philip’s model showed a significant difference in means (1.76cm/min) indicating higher sensitivity of its measurement. There was no significance difference (p=0.19 @ 0.05 level of significance) on replicating the experiment for the 3 different locations. Thus, the Kostiakov’s and Horton’s models were recommended for the infiltration characteristics measurement in Kano and elsewhere with similar environmental conditions.

Soil sodicity is one of the major threats affecting the quality of soil globally. Soil sodicity problems remain a critical issue of concern as it adversely affects the yield of crops. This study assessed the effect of millet chaff in ameliorating sodium-affected soils at Thomas Irrigation Scheme in Kano, Nigeria. The experiment consisted of three levels of millet chaff application plus a control labelled (M1 = 1.44 kg/m2, M2 = 1.08 kg/m2, M3 = 0.68 kg/m2 and C = Control). The treatments were replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design and rice seedlings were transplanted in each plot. The results showed a significant difference of soil quality parameters in the treated plots. The pH of soil samples was found to be 5.93, 6.067 and 5.5 for M1, M2, and M3 with percentage pH decrease from the control plot (C = 9.49) of 62, 64, and 58% respectively Similarly, the Sodium Adsorption Ratios were 5.723 for C, 0.188 for M1, 0.133 for M2 and 0.112 for M3. Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in soil quality indicators from plots treated with millet chaff and that of control. However, the study showed no significant difference in the yield harvested between the treated plots and the control. This suggests that using millet chaff for a sodicity amendment has no significant effect on the yield of a rice crop in the study area because all the prevailing soil properties are within the FAO acceptable range for growing rice.

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