Analysis of River Water Quality and its Implications on Crop Production in Kufana, Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study analyzed river water quality and its implications on crop production in Kufana with the aim of establishing the level of pollution of the river’s water quality in regard to crop production. To achieve the desired aim of the study intended to identify the types of crops cultivated, determine the characteristics of the physicochemical parameters of the river water, and compare the concentration levels of the variables to the Food and Agriculture Organization Standard (FAO 2018), as well as to determine the effect of these variables on the crops cultivated using water from the river. Related literature on water qualities for irrigation, water quality index, and models was reviewed; an empirical review was also considered in the study. Water samples were collected from rivers Ugo, Kufana, and Issa Gbari. Ten (10) parameters were tested, which comprise Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Carbonate, Bicarbonate, Sulphate, pH, Conductivity, TDS, and Temperature. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was the major statistical tool used in testing the hypotheses. The tool was used to test whether the water of the rivers is not polluted, as such, does not have any effect on crop production. Result from the study revealed that Calcium (0.70mg/l, 2.20mg/l and 1.30mg/l), Chlorine (23mg/l, 18.99mg/l and 16.99mg/l.), pH (6.58mg/l, 6.80mg/l 6.25mg/l), electrical Conductivity (58.80 Ds/m, 144.80 Ds/m and 111.30 Ds/m) and TDS (29.30mg/l 72.10mg/l, 55.80mg/l) were within the acceptable limit of WHO and FAO, while Magnesium (0.30mg/l, 1.50mg/l), Bicarbonate (24mg/l, 12mg/l and 14mg/l), Sulphate (18mg/l, 24mg/l and 14mg/l) and Temperature (28.800C) were not within the acceptable limit. Carbonate was not detected in the three rivers. The results of the study equally revealed a variation in the physico-chemical variables and water quality. The study concluded that since the rivers Ugo, Kufana and Issa Gbari are used for irrigating farms during the dry season, in order to avoid bioaccumulation of toxic pollutants in the agricultural products, farmers should be encouraged to use biofertilizers and biopesticides to avoid soil, surface water and groundwater contamination.