ABSTRACT:
The water relations of the soils of the Niger-Anambra Floodplains of Southeastern Nigeria were investigated. Steady state infiltration capacities ranged from 56 mm h−1 to 1000 mm h−1. A scheme for grouping the soils into relative infiltration classes was suggested. Saturated hydraulic conductivities of the subsoils were generally less than 0.11 cm h−1. Water retention curves showed gradual water release and an average of 41% saturation water content at 15-bar tension. Calculations indicated available water capacity of up to 29.4 cm of water per metre of soil. The soil water relations were explained by clay texture which had, characteristically, many fine pores. Very little water was lost between saturation and a low tension of, say, 0.01 bar. There were, therefore, few macropores in terms of volume. Suitable crops, as well as soil management practices for the area were suggested on the basis of the soil properties.
Catena 10/1981; 8(3-4):285-298. DOI:10.1016/0341-8162(81)90012-6