SILESHI TEFERRA2026-01-282024-11https://etd.hu.edu.et/handle/123456789/285The aim of the current study was to determine the metallic concentration of maize of irrigated versus rain fed and soil of irrigated versus rain fed and the water used for irrigation. This is to investigate the influence of irrigation on the concentration of heavy metals in the maize grains and soil. This was done by comparing with rain fed farms. The concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) in acid digested sample were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A composite purposive sampling method was used to collect samples from sample site of ziway city, Ethiopia. Microsoft Excel was used for Descriptive statistical analysis of the results and one way ANOVA was employed to compare the mean difference of heavy metals concentration between irrigated and rain fed. In maize samples (rain fed and irrigated maize) the mean concentrations of Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn were (0.42 – 1.25) for rain fed and irrigate maize, (not detected (nd) – 0.42) for rain fed and irrigated maize, (0.62 –0.93) for rain fed and irrigated maize, (10.8 – 12.3) for rain fed and irrigated maize and (20.23 – 24.3) for rain fed and irrigated maize. In soil samples mean concentration of Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn were in the range of (9.46 – 12.36) for rain fed and irrigated, (4.4 – 5.36) for rain fed and irrigated, (4.3 – 6.4) for rain fed and irrigated, (56.4 – 66.3) for rain fed and irrigated and (74.26 – 86. 35) for rain fed and irrigated. The mean concentrations of metals in water used for irrigation were (mg/L) of Pb (0.24), Cr (0.065), Ni (0.051), Cu (1.23) and Zn (0.92) in the irrigated water samples were above the limit set by US EPA (2004). The study show that irrigated (maize and soil) contained higher concentration of heavy metals and were above the limit set by US EPA which show that it was contaminated and would be unsave for human consumption.Atomic absorptionHeavy metalIrrigationSafe limitsSoilMaizeThesis