Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Fasina, A.S., Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
A detailed soil survey of about 120.89 ha of land in Asu River Basin was carried out to evaluate the suitability of the soils for irrigation agriculture. The study revealed four (4) major soil types (Ihuibe 1 and Ihuibe 2, Ameta 1 and Ameta 2). The soils are deep (>100 cm) and contain low tolerable levels of calcium carbonate (EC-0.01 mmho cm-1 -0.22 mmho cm-1). Soil textures consist of loam (Ihuibe 1), sandy clay loam (Ihuibe 2), clay loam (Ametal 1) and loamy Sand (Ameta 2) on the surface to sandy clay loam (Ihuibe 1), clay loam (Ihuibe 2), sandy clay loam (Ameta 1) and clay (Ametal 2) subsoil. Three of the soils are imperfectly drained (Ihuibe 1, Ihuibe 2 and Ameta 2) while Ameta 1 is moderately well drained. The soils were classified into irrigation suitability classes for surface/gravity irrigation (Ihuibe 1 and Ihuibe 2 were classified as moderately suitable (S2) while Ameta 1 was classified as highly suitable (S1) and Ameta 2 as currently not suitable. For drip/localized irrigation, Ihuibe 1 and Ameta 2 were classified as moderately suitable (S2) while Ihuibe 1 and Ameta 1 were classified as highly suitable (S1). The study is recommending that for sustainable use of the area for irrigation agriculture, drip/localized type of irrigation should be used to irrigate the soils of the area. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc.