Effect of irrigation on some chemical properties of fluvisols in Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria

Soil studies were conducted to assess the effect of irrigation on exchangeable bases and cation exchange capacity in Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria. Accordingly, soil and irrigation water samples were collected from selected locations and analyzed for soil and irrigation water quality indicators using standard laboratory procedures while appropriate statistical analysis were carried out. The result of the study indicated that soils were non-saline (EC = 0.05 to 0.15 dS/m). The exchangeable Mg (1.28 to 2.23 cmol/kg) in the irrigated soils was high. No significant difference was observed between the irrigated and non-irrigated soils. The irrigation water was moderately acidic (pH 5.6 to 6.0) to slightly alkaline (pH 7.3 to 7.8) and nonsaline and non-sodic with low EC (0.21 to 0.26 dS/m), Ca (10.47 to 29.77 mg/l), Mg (3.28 to 6.32 mg/l), K (1.27 to 10.55 mg/l) and Na (0.83 to 1.33 mg/l), total dissolved solids (88.1 to 92.70 mg/l) and SAR (0.28 to 0.39) were very low in the irrigation water. The irrigated soils were more alkaline than the non-irrigated soils. It is recommended that low soil fertility should be improved through incorporation of organic materials in the study area. Key Words: Irrigation, Chemical Properties, Fluvisols, Sudan Savann