Physico-chemical parameters of water are major factors limiting optimum agricultural yield in irrigated
agriculture especially practiced in arid and semi-arid areas like Sokoto Basin, Nigeria. Some vital quality
parameters of the groundwater of Gwandu Formation a Continental Terminal of Sokoto Basin were
evaluated for the criteria of irrigation water suitability. Twenty eight water samples were collected from
existing wells in July 2013 and April 2014 from different locations in Gwandu Formation (Eocene)
covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, which constitutes Sokoto Basin and were subjected to
physicochemical analyses.The physicochemical analysis conducted on the representative water samples
of Gwandu Formation were in accordance with standard procedure. The electrical conductivity (EC)
value of water of the study area ranges from 10.9 to 760.0μ½/cm (mean =164.93μ½/cm). The total
dissolved solid (TDS) values range from 0.00 to 536.63ppm (mean= 116.08ppm). The studyrevealed
thatEC,and TDS, evaluated were suitable for irrigation. Besides, the results realized from advance
assessment and evaluation of physicochemical parameters for Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC),
Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR),and Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), water quality variables, were
found within the permissible limits for irrigation purposes. The RSC value obtained varies from -1.73 to
1.12meq/L (mean= -0.21meq/L), while the values of SAR of the water samples range from 0.02 to
1.82meq/L with an average value of 0.45meq/L, and SSP values were found to vary from 5.34 to 75.1%
with a mean of 34.14%. Ground water development of Gwandu Formation, the Continental Terminal of
Sokoto Basin via planned irrigation projectsis therefore recommended.
Key Words: Nigeria, Irrigation, and Physico-Chemical Water Parameters