Design and Construction of a Drainage Lysimeter Prototype for Educational Objectives

A prototype drainage lysimeter system was designed and constructed for educational objectives, focusing on the principles of drainage and irrigation systems. The fabrication was carried out at the Engineering Section of the Farm Mechanization Unit within the Agricultural Technology Department at the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology in New Bussa, Niger State, Nigeria. The drainage lysimeters were made from 4.8-mm waterproof plywood, measuring 0.80 x 0.45 x 0.50 m, with an internal area of 0.18 m 2 . A lysimeter filled solely with moist soil weighed 1,010.27 kg. This prototype was utilized in practical classes to instruct students on assessing water infiltration rates, evapotranspiration, water quality, and crop water usage. Evaluation results indicated that students successfully grasped the operational principles of the drainage lysimeter system.