Browsing by Author "Aliyu A. S"

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    ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF WATER USED FOR IRRIGATION IN KWARA STATE - NIGERIA
    (2016) Aliyu T. H; Nnamani C.S; Olatinwo L. K.; Aliyu A. S
    The absence of a dependable source and supply of good quality water has become a grave concern among users of water for agricultural purposes. In Nigeria, irrigated agriculture is an important tool for economic growth, food security and poverty reduction during the dry periods of rain-fed agriculture. The concentration and composition of dissolved constituents in water determine its quality for irrigation use. Water quality studies strongly suggest that agriculture is a leading source of water quality problems due to pesticides and other agro inputs widely used by farmers to improve agricultural productivity. Poor quality irrigation water would therefore obviously affect soil quality and crop productivity. A study was carried out in 2015 to evaluate the quality of water used for irrigation in farm sites across the agroecology of kwara state Nigeria. Water samples were collected from thirty locations and ten locations were randomly selected from each of the three senatorial zones. The samples were analyzed for water quality parameters using standard procedures. The results show that some of the parameters analyzed were within acceptable limits. Others parameters such as alkalinity, turbidity, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), were above tolerable range for irrigation purposes. These results indicate the need for the management of water resources for improved agricultural productivity. This shows that the frequent assessment of water quality across Kwara State is often desirable. There is also need for extension agents to educate farmers on regulated use of inorganic chemicals and fertilizers that could cause water pollution. Industries and factories capable of causing pollution should be located far from streams, rivers and water bodies utilized for irrigation purpose.