AN ASSESSMENT OF SOIL PROPERTIES OF WATARI IRRIGATION PROJECT, KANO STATE NIGERIA

This research was carried out in Watari River Irrigation Project, located on the slopes of Watari River valley in Bagwai local government of Kano state with aim of assessing soil properties. A total of 32 representative samples were randomly collected from the eight sectors (0-20cm) depth. The samples were treated and analyzed for physical, chemical and fertility related indices. The results have shown that all the eight sectors had sand dominated texture. The mean pH in the soil ranged from 5.50 to 5.95. The EC ranged between 0.49 to 1.30cmol/kg, the Cl- ranged between 0.29 to 1.07cmol/kg and SAR ranged between 0.13to 0.72. The mean soil organic carbon across the sectors ranged between 0.62 to 1.49%. The total nitrogen ranged between 0.0043 to 0.084% while NH4+ and NO3- Forms of nitrogen ranged between 0.0043 to 0.0065cmol/kg and 0.0025 to 0.0065mg/kg respectively. The CEC ranged between 9.04 to 12.68cmol/kg. The exchangeable bases ranged from 3.13 to 4.25; 1.06to1.73 and 1.28 to 2.08cmol/kg for Ca, Mg and K respectively. The boron content in the soil across the sectors ranged between 4.09 to 6.34mg/kg. The research recommended that irrigation, fertilizer and agrochemical management as well as careful monitoring of soil and water condition should be adopted as strategy to maintain and improve the salinity status of the sectors. Extension should also be focused on water use efficiency, soil conservation practices such as incorporation of organic residues and conservation tillage practices.