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Asian Journal of Plant Sciences

Year: 2011 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 92-96
DOI: 10.3923/ajps.2011.92.96
The Effects of Four Sources of Irrigation Water on Soil Chemical and Physical Properties
M. Takase, L.K. Sam-Amoah and J.D. Owusu-Sekyere

Abstract: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of four sources of irrigation water on soil chemical and physical properties at Kpong in the Manya Krobo District. The chemical and physical variables were measured using the top soil (0-15 cm) to compare soils irrigated with four sources of water. The sources of irrigation water used by the farmers in the District include: river, canal, tap and well. Each water source was used to irrigate tomatoes. Chemical variables determined were: soil pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg) and % total NH4-N. These variables were monitored for a period of three months. Two core samples were taken from each of the plots before planting of the tomato and subsequent samples taken at the same spots monthly, after planting, for a period of three months and sent for analysis. Water quality was established according to its chemical composition. The pH decreased (from 6.6 to 6.4 in T4 and from 6.6 to 6.2 in T3), EC (from 4.1 to 3.7 ds m-1 in T3), Na+ (from 13 to 11.5 cmol kg-1 in T3 and from 13 to 12.4 cmol kg-1 in T4), Ca (from 36.5 to 32.05 cmol kg-1 in T3 and from 36.5 to 33.9 cmol kg-1 in T4), Mg (from 9.2 to 8.3 cmol kg-1 in T3 and from 9.2 to 8.67 cmol kg-1 in T2) and % total NH4-N (from 0.25 to 0.2 in T4 and from 0.25 to 0.16 in T3). Continuous irrigation lowered values of the variables and values of soil nutrient. However, the water quality and soil chemical and physical data suggest that the sodification process and the increased soil erosion risk must be controlled in order to achieve a sustainable high production system. Soils irrigated with river water was the most preferred for growing tomato by virtue of their optimum level of pH, EC, Na, Mg and NH4-N.

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How to cite this article
M. Takase, L.K. Sam-Amoah and J.D. Owusu-Sekyere, 2011. The Effects of Four Sources of Irrigation Water on Soil Chemical and Physical Properties. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 10: 92-96.

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