Spatial Evaluation of Water Quality for Irrigation in Ekiti North Agricultural Development Project Farm Settlement, Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Good quality water is vital to soil health, plant growth and crop yields. This study evaluated physicochemical characteristics of both  surface and groundwater resources of an agrarian settlement and delineated it with map of the spatial water quality distribution for  irrigation. Twelve water samples were collected from available water sources and analysed with replicates in the laboratory, following  standard procedures. Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) value and other physicochemical parameters were within the acceptable limits for  optimum crop production with exception of electrical conductivity (EC), bicarbonate (HCO₃-), sodium (Na⁺ ) and iron (Fe²⁺) whose  contents or concentrations were above the tolerable limits for irrigation water requirement for arable crop. The outcomes of the study  give the spatial water quality distribution status for informed available water-use to the farmers and serve as a source of water database  bank for future application.