Hydraulic properties of different soil types and its implication on koupendri catchment hydrology

Chukwuebuka Vincent Azuka, Chigozie Pascal Umeugokwe and Ginika Mediatrix Ajoagu

Abstract: Soil hydraulic properties play vital role for efficient soil and water management, and sustainable growth and properties. Steady state infiltration was also measured at 10 locations or points within each of the soil types identified in the Koupendri catchment using Hood infiltrometer. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using General Statistics software. The results showed that steady state infiltration (SSI), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), available water capacity (AWC), water content at field capacity (FC) andn permanent wilting point (PWP), bulk density (BD) and total porosity (TP) differed significantly (p<0.05) across the soil types. The AWC and FC recorded their highest values in Eutric Gleysols and lowest values in Dystric Plinthosols. The highest BD (1.77 g cm-3) and the lowest TP (32.07%) values were all obtained in Eutric cambisols. However, SSI and Ksat respectively recorded their lowest values (0.98 cm min-1, 8.7 cm hr-1) in Gleyic Luvisols. Generally, our results showed that Dystric Plinthosols have poor water storage and retention capacity whereas Gleyic Luvisols have poor drainage characteristics and therefore prone to flooding due to poor water infiltration and low saturated hydraulic conductivity. The soil hydraulic properties maps of the study area have provided essential and valuable information needed to sustainably manage and conserve the soil and water resources of the catchment.

Keywords: hydraulic properties, soil and water management, conservation, spatial variability, GIS

Date published: 2022-08-26