Soil and Water Qualities for Irrigation Along River Katsina-Ala

Assessment of the soil and water qualities for irrigation in river Katsina-Ala catchment areas of Benue State was carried out. Soil and water samples from three selected catchment areas namely, Logo, Ambighir and Katsina-Ala, were collected and analyzed for quality- related parameters. The investigation was carried out in the wet and dry seasons. The mechanical analysis of the soils of the study areas indicated that Logo had sandy loam texture while Ambighir and Katsina-Ala were of loamy sand to sandy loam textures. The soils of the study areas had high values of infiltration capacities. They showed moderate values of CEC and exchangeable bases, and high base saturation. The pH of the soils varied from slightly acidic in the wet seasons to slightly alkaline in the dry seasons. The electrical conductivities of the soils were low. Both soil and water qualities were found to be suitable for irrigation as the values of the parameters related to the general irrigation problems of salinity, permeability, toxicity and 'miscellaneous' fell within the 'tolerable' limits.