Assessment of irrigation water quality for vegetable production in the Bono and Bono East regions

Abstract

Irrigation water quality is one of the key parameters for healthy plants growth and maintenance of healthy soils for abundant food production. This research examines the physicochemical parameters of irrigation water and its suitability for crop production in the Bono and Bono East regions. The suitability of irrigation water for vegetable production is to ensure that fresh vegetables produced are of good quality, since the vegetables are mostly eaten raw.  Four irrigation dams in Subinja, Kaniago, Tanoso and Akrobi from the two regions were selected and water samples from each of the dams were collected during the dry and wet seasons. The samples were analysed for physical parameters, heavy metals and soluble cations and anions at the GWCL laboratory using standard laboratory procedures and techniques. The various parameters examined showed that EC, SAR, TDS, pH and the ionic concentrations (Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Cl^-, NO₃^-) were found within the WHO recommended limits and, therefore, suitable for irrigation of vegetables. However, Na⁺ values for dry and wet seasons were found to be above the permissible limits and, therefore, can only be suitable for salt tolerance crops.  K⁺ was also found to be higher across all the dams. Elements such as Cu, Pb and As ions, which might cause toxicity of the irrigation water were low except Cr, which had no effect on the quality of the irrigation water.  The study recommends further studies on the quality of vegetables produce from the dams and its impact on consumers.