Characterization and Classification of Soils along the Toposequence of Kindo Koye Watershed in Southern Ethiopia

Mulugeta, D; Sheleme, B.

doi:10.4314/eajsci.v4i2.71528

Cited by 24 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Generally, the distribution of available Cu and Zn decreased consistently from the surface to the subsurface layers. These results were in agreement with earlier reports of Alemayehu (2007) and Mulugeta and Sheleme (2010). According to critical values of available micronutrients set by Havlin et al (1999), the amounts of Fe and Mn in the surface layers are considered to be adequate for crop production, whereas the amounts of Zn and Cu were marginal.…”

Section: Chemical Properties Of the Soilssupporting

confidence: 93%

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Characterization of problem soils in and around the south central Ethiopian Rift Valley

Alemayehu¹,

Beyene²,

Schoenau³

2016

J. Soil Sci. Environ. Manage.

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Some soils in Ethiopia reduce plant productivity due to physical and/or chemical limitations. The morphological, physical and chemical properties of problem soils, including sodic, acidic, and saline soils, around southern Ethiopia were characterized and are described in this chapter. The intention is to characterize the soils and better understand the specific nature of the limitations. Sodic soils of Alage, acid soils of Hagereselam, and saline soils of Zeway areas were sampled to represent the problem soils. The soil properties determined included color, electrical conductivity (EC), structure, consistency, bulk density, texture, pH, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen, available phosphorus (P) and K, exchangeable bases and available micro-nutrients. The soils had considerable heterogeneity in solum and regolith thickness, horizon depth, structural development in surface soils and subsurface horizons, pH, EC and available nutrients. The classification of these soils was made according to Soil Taxonomy and World Reference Base for Soil Resources systems. The sodic soils of Alage had high pH and sodium (Na) content, and low level of OC, available P, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). The epipedon was classified as an ochric and the profile also had variation in clay content down the profile to satisfy the requirements of having an argilic horizon and therefore these soils were classified as Typic Natragids. Soils of Hagereselam had very low available P. Available Cu and Zn contents were found to be at the marginal levels for production of most crops. The Hagereselam profile had an argilic horizon with umbric epipedon and was classified as Typic Paleustults. The saline soils in Zeway area had relatively high amounts of calcium and low OC. The profile was found to have ochric epipedon and these soils are classified as Typic Haplocambids. Application of fertilizer including P, Cu and Zn, and removal of sodium and salts from the soil profile may be means of improving the productivity of these soils. Application of organic amendments including manures and crop residues may also be beneficial in increasing the fertility as well as organic carbon content.

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Section: Chemical Properties Of the Soilssupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Moreover, there is also a strong and positive correlation (r=0.93) between OC and total nitrogen (data not shown). Similar results were found by Alemayehu (2007) and Mulugeta and Sheleme (2010) who reported strong correlation between total N and OC in soils of Wolayita area.…”

Section: Chemical Characteristics Of the Pedonssupporting

confidence: 90%

Characterization of problem soils in and around the south central Ethiopian Rift Valley

Alemayehu¹,

Beyene²,

Schoenau³

2016

J. Soil Sci. Environ. Manage.

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“…The color differences between surface and subsurface layers reflect biological processes, notably those influenced by the soil organic matter. In line with this, many authors reported that the surface horizons have darker color than the corresponding subsurface horizons as a result of relatively higher soil OM contents [7,36]. Pedons A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4 had bright-colored (red, reddish brown, and yellowish red) subsoils, which might be 3 WE = weak; ST = strong; MO = moderate; VST = very strong; FI = fine; FM = fine and medium; VM = very fine to medium; MC = medium and coarse; ME = medium; CO = coarse; VC = very coarse; EC = extremely coarse; GR = granular; SB = subangular blocky; AB = angular blocky; PR = prismatic.…”

Section: Morphological Properties Of the Soilsmentioning

confidence: 57%

“…Generally, friable consistence indicates the composition of different size of particles, the presence of organic materials, and microbiological activities in the soil. It was pointed out that the friable consistence observed in the surface soils of the pedons could be attributed to the higher soil OM contents of the layers [7]. The friable consistency of the soils indicates that the soils are workable at appropriate moisture content [36].…”

Section: Morphological Properties Of the Soilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization and Classification of Soils of Abobo Area, Western Ethiopia

Yitbarek

Beyene

Kibret

2016

Applied and Environmental Soil Science

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Knowledge of the kinds and properties of soils is critical for making decisions with respect to crop production and other land use types. A field survey and soil morphological description and laboratory analysis were carried out to describe, characterize, and classify the soils of Abobo area, western Ethiopia. Seven representative pedons (A-1 to A-7) were opened and described across the study area. The results revealed variation in morphological, physical, and chemical properties of the soils. The soils are clay loam to clayey in texture with bulk density values ranging from 1.12 to 1.32 g cm−3 and basic infiltration rate varying from slow to moderate (0.4 to 3.3 cm hr−1). They were moderately acidic to neutral in pH (5.5 to 7.1) and had very low to medium organic carbon (OC) (0.27 to 2.98%). Four soil types, Haplic Cambisols, Vertic Luvisols, Mollic Leptosols, and Mollic Vertisols, were identified in the area based on World Reference Base. Generally, the properties of the soils differed along the transect indicating their variation in productive potential and management requirements for specific agricultural use.

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