INVESTIGATING THE INFILTRATION CAPACITY OF WATER INTO SOIL IN MINNA METROPOLIS

This study investigates the infiltration capacity of water into soil, focusing on the factors that influence infiltration rates and their implications for water management and soil health. Infiltration capacity is a fundamental parameter in hydrology, agriculture, and environmental science, as it governs water availability, soil erosion, and groundwater recharge. Primary and secondary sources of data collection will be use. The primary sources include oral interviews and questionnaires while the secondary sources include textbooks, journals, internet, published and unpublished articles. Field measurements combined with soil property analyses were conducted to evaluate infiltration rates, cumulative infiltration, and the role of soil characteristics, vegetation cover, and antecedent moisture. The findings provide insights into sustainable water management practices and strategies to enhance soil health. Field infiltration tests were carried out using the double-ring infiltrometer to measure infiltration rates under controlled conditions. Infiltration data were analyzed to derive infiltration rates, cumulative infiltration, and to identify the influence of soil and vegetation characteristics. The study confirms that infiltration capacity is strongly influenced by soil texture, moisture content, and vegetation cover. Higher infiltration capacity supports better water management and reduces risks of erosion and fertility loss.