Evaluation of Irrigation Application Efficiency: Case Study of Chanchaga Irrigation Scheme

Water is an integral issue needed to attain the desired targets but good quality water for irrigation purpose is gradually become scarce. The seasonal nature of rainfall can give rise to water stress at critical periods of growth. This research attempts to evaluate the irrigation application efficiency of Chanchaga irrigation scheme, Minna, Niger state. A hand auger was used to bore to a desired depth to remove samples of the moist soil. Samples of the moist soil removed was placed in a can, covered and taken to the laboratory. The specific gravity (apparent) of the soil particle and the depth of water applied were determined using volumetric method, water application efficiency is determined using Gravimetric Method of Soil Moisture Content (Pw) Determination. The moisture content of the field after irrigation water is applied falls between the ranges of 51.1% and 51.5%, with an average of 51.28%, in this case the average amount of water applied is about 4.68%, this shows a little increase in the moisture content of the soil in the field. It was concluded that the efficiency of water application obtained is adequate and a good result considering the available management practice in terms of system operation, monitoring and evaluation.