Infiltration Studies of Soils in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma

Infiltration studies of some soils in a four mapping unit 30 hectare parcel of land at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma were conducted using a double ring infiltrometer. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the infiltration properties of the various types of soils in the 30 hectare parcel of land at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in terms of equilibrium infiltration rate, cumulative infiltration and cost per mapping unit. The results showed that the equilibrium infiltration rate ranged from 12.9cm/hr to 31.25cm/hr; the cumulative infiltration ranged from 129.4cm to 334.3cm; while the cost per mapping unit run was between #6,250 and #15,000.The obvious implication is that gravity irrigation practice cannot be done in any of the mapping units of the 30 hectares. In the event of contemplating any irrigation practice, other options like the sprinkler or drip would have to be exploited. This is in agreement with the guidelines for irrigation practice by FAO (1983).