Assessment of Irrigation water quality and selected soil parameters at Mankessim irrigation scheme, Ghana

Abstract

Irrigation has become very critical in acquiring an all year round crop production. The aim of the research work was to assess the irrigation water quality and selected soil parameters at the Mankessim irrigation scheme, which is used to irrigate all types of crops within Mankessim and its environs. The data of the study was collected from two sources, from water and soil samples. Water samples were collected from three different surface water sources within the scheme for both the dry and wet seasons. Nine (9) different samples were collected for each season, three (3) samples for each surface water source. Also, six (6) different soil samples were collected for each season. Soil samples were collected from an irrigated and non-irrigated farm lands. The results of the study indicated that water sources, that is from surface sources did not differ significantly from each other comparing the dry and wet seasons and that their chemical values were within the limits acceptable for irrigation and crop production. The concentrations (Na, Ca, Mg, EC and TDS) were fairly within the permissive limits for crop water use.