Assessment of Soil Infiltration Rate in Oye-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti of Nigeria

Abstract

Soil infiltration, the process by which water penetrates the soil's surface and flows downward, is a crucial hydrological factor affecting agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, and water resource management. Despite their significance, Ekiti State lacks localized data on soil infiltration rates, which makes it difficult to develop sustainable land use and water management plans. This study evaluates infiltration behavior across four sites with diverse soil textures in Oye-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti, using field infiltration tests and laboratory geotechnical analyses. The research finding deduce that infiltration rates initially increase as the soil dries and becomes more receptive to water, reaching a peak as the soil begins to saturate, Peak infiltration rates ranged from 3.4 cm/hr to 6.9 cm/hr, with Site III having the maximum rate, Accumulated infiltration rates over 60 minutes varied from 22.6 cm to 63 cm, with Site IV showing the highest rate. Soil properties like specific gravity, moisture content, particle size distribution, and Atterberg limits were analysed and correlated with infiltration rates. The study concluded that infiltration rates significantly influence soil performance in Ekiti State.