Surface Irrigation Suitability Assessment of the Some Soils in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Irrigation is necessary and important for all year round cultivation of crops and fertigation, without which some crops will perish. Surface irrigation is the cheapest means of irrigation applied amongst farmers, which has sustained food security over the years. The purpose of this study is to provide irrigation data for land users in the area, as irrigation survey has not been carried out in the said area. This study assesses surface, drip and sprinkler irrigation suitability for some sandy soils in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo state including Ikpeshi, Unem-Nekhua and Ososo, Nigeria. A parametric approach was employed. The result shows that the sandy soils of the areas were marginally suitable (S3) for surface irrigation with Ikpeshi, Unem-Nekhua and Ososo soils recording suitability index of 44.67, 52.25 and 52.25. Ikpeshi and Unem-Nekhua soils were moderately suitable (S2) for sprinkler and drip irrigation with suitability index of 63.2 and 76.7, 70 and 71.3. Ososo soils were highly suitable (S1) for both sprinkler and drip irrigation system with suitability index and 95 and 80.8. The result will guide land users in utilizing the lands according to their suitability.