ABSTRACT
Nigeria is a large country with a great diversity of climatic and agro-ecological zones. Horticultural crops comprise the groups of vegetables,fresh legumes, fruit trees, ornamental plants, plantation crops, medicinal and aromatic plants and spices. The present study was conducted in Argungu local government area, Kebbi state, with an aim of assessing of soil quality irrigated with surface water on the production of horticultural crops mainly onions and tomatoes. The data of the study were obtained from two sources, from soil and water samples analysis, and from a questionnaire which was prepared to assess the farmers’ perception on the factors affecting horticultural crops production in Argungu. Soil samples were taken from depths 0-15, 15-30 and 30-40 cm and were collected from 10 small scale farms, in which 5 farms used surface water while the other 5 farms used ground water for irrigation. Six water samples were collected during dry and wet seasons, three from surface sources (dams) and the other three from sub-surface normal wells. The sampled soil and water were analyzed for various parameters in the laboratory. Using the questionnaire, fifty six small garden holders (10%)were interviewed randomly. For data analysis, statistical mean comparisons based on T-test using Excel and SPSS packages were used. The results of the study indicated that water sources, that is from sub-surface and surface sources did not differ significantly and that their chemical values were within the limits acceptable for irrigation and crop production. However, the concentrations of the bi- carbonates were somewhat high (between 50-135mg/L) while for other chemicals, the concentrations (Na, Ca ,Mg, K and even EC and TDS) were fairly within the permissive limits for use. For example, EC of water and that of soil extracts were between 0.03-0.1 for water and 0.38-0.01 dS/m for soil extracts. Surface water pH was slightly alkaline (7.38 – 7.68) while that from sub-surface was slightly acidic (6.98-6.69). The soils generally were of low soil fertility with very low values of N and P, and in some cases K. With the farmers’ perception on horticultural crops production, farmers were generally poorly informed, have low education and rarely use fertilizer inputs in crop production.
CHAPTER ONE
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1.0Â Â INTRODUCTION
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1.1Â Â General Background Information
Nigeria is a large country with a great diversity of climatic and agro-ecological zones. The country is rich in plant genetic resources. However, these plant genetic resources are subjected to erosion due to the expansion of mechanized agriculture in the rainy lands of Central, Eastern and Western Nigeria. Horticultural crops comprise the groups of vegetables, fresh legumes, fruit trees, ornamental plants, plantation crops, medicinal and aromatic plants and spices. The horticultural acreage in the Nigeria is estimated at 273,000 hectares, representing about 3% of the total crop area, and contributes 12% to national production compared to 21% for food grains and 8% for oil seeds (Ahmed, 2002). Horticultural crop growers share many of the same management concerns of other producers. Although horticultural crops vary substantially, they all require skilled management to produce a high product. These crops rely heavily on high management of soil, water, nutrient resources and pest populations. Water availability is the most serious limitation to agricultural quality production in Western Nigeria. This study was carried out in Argungu local government area-Kebbi state to assess the soil and water resources which are used to produce horticultural crops (vegetables and fruits) by farmers.
1.2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Statement of the ProblemÂ
Kebbi state does not have sufficient supply of horticultural products but always imports some from the neighbouring states. Local yields are in the order of 4 t/fed for vegetables, 4-5 t/fed for potatoes, 4 t/fed for tomato and 6 t/fed for onion. The low production is as a result of poor water quality and soil infertility in the area. For example, the excess salts affect the uptake of nutrients from the soil. In irrigation, poor water quality with excess salts affect plants in many ways, but the most common problems are caused by salts which influence the osmotic relationship between roots and soil moisture (Malash et al., 2005).
1.3Â Â Justification and significance of the study
In Kebbi state area the water which is used by small scale farmers for producing horticultural crops such as vegetables and fruits, has the influence on onion and tomato production be it from its supply or quality. Soil also has the same effect like that of water in the crops due to its salt contents and poor agricultural practices. There is a need to assess the water quality from various sources such as surface and ground water which is used to irrigate different horticulture crop in the area . Equally important will be the sustainability assessment of soil in terms of salts and their effects on horticultural crops. This study is useful to shed light on water quality and soil productivity on horticultural crops production in the area. The production of both vegetables and fruits is flourishing, providing cash to farmers, forming an important component of the human diet and holding good promise for export. There is a need to increase yield per unit area and improve quality to meet the country’s strategic goals of improving export earnings and producing adequate quantities for fresh consumption and processing.
1.4Â Â Research objective
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The general objective of the this study is to assess the quality of water used for irrigation and soil properties for the production of onion and tomato in Argungu -Kebbi state, Nigeria, while the specific objectives are:
- To assess the chemical properties of water and their effects on horticultural crop production.
- To assess the physical-chemical properties of soils that are used by farmers on crop production
- To compare the chemical properties of water sources for irrigation (ground and surface water) on the soil
- To assess the farmer’s perception on onion and tomato production in relation to water sources used for irrigation and other
1.5Â Â Research hypothesis
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- The chemical properties  of  water    used for irrigation have effects on most horticultural crops production
- The soil quality in terms of chemical and physical properties, affect the performance of crops
- The chemical properties of water sources (ground and surface water) affect soil properties differently
- Famers have little knowledge on horticultural crops’ production in relation to water use for irrigation and other
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