Characterizing soils and the enduring nature of land uses around the Lake Chamo Basin in South-West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Characterizing and describing soils and land use and make a suggestion for sustainable utilization of land resources in the Ethiopian Rift valley flat plain areas of Lake Chamo Sub-Basin (CSB) are essential. Objectives: To (1) characterize soils of experimental area according to World Reference Base Legend and assess the nature and extent of salinity problems; (2) characterize land use systems and their role in soil properties; and (3) identify best land use practices used for both environmental management and improve agricultural productivity. Methods: Twelve randomly collected soil samples were prepared from the above land uses into 120 composites and analyzed. Results: Organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) were varied along different land uses and depleted from the surface soils. The soil units include Chernozems (41.67%), Kastanozems (25%), Solonchaks (16.67%), and Cambisols (16.67%). The identified land uses are annual crops (AA), perennial crops (PA), and natural forest (NF). Generally, organic carbon, total nitrogen, percentage base saturation (PBS), exchangeable (potassium, calcium, and magnesium), available phosphorus (P 2 O 5), manganese, copper, and iron contents were decreased in cultivated soils. Soil salinity problem was observed in annuals. Annuals have less nutrient content compared to perennials in irrigated agriculture while it is greater in annuals under rainfed. Clay, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium (K 2 O) contents were correlated positively and highly significantly with organic carbon and electrical conductivity. Conclusion: Management practices that improve soil quality should be integrated with leguminous crops when the land is used for annual crops production.

Characterization and classification of soils of Bako Tibe District, West Shewa, Ethiopia

“…Among the serious problems hindering agriculture in it is required for maintaining soil productivity and realization of land use planning in most parts of the country. It is important to characterize and describe soil and land use to make recommendations for sustainable land use in Ethiopia (Zebire et al, 2019).…”

Soil-landscape characterization and mapping to advance the state of spatial soil information on Ethiopian highlands: Implications for site-specific soil management

“…Available S is the primary source of S taken up by most crops. The source is the SOM via the microbial pool or directly from animal residues, atmospheric inputs, or fertilizers (Zebire et al, 2019).…”

Human Disturbance, Plant Species Composition, Diversity and Community Types of Kafta-Sheraro National Park, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

“…Consquently, the elevation variation between sites (cummunities) was relatively limited in this study area. Because it was a key factor in separating our communities is likely due to its co-variation with the type of parental material (Zebire et al, 2019), and its effects on the communities hydrological regimes which exerts strong influence on species composition (Clilverd et al, 2013)..For example, in the riparian site of the KSNP (here after community 2) is strongly influenced by seasonal floods and overflows from the streams discharging into Tekeze River. Moreover, the dry season water availability is higher close to streams at this lower elevation.…”