Physicochemical Parameters of Soils in Tepi Campus South Western Parts of Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil is an important part of agriculture applications. An understanding of physical and chemical condition of any soil is essential for proper implementation of the other soil management practices. Therefore the physico-chemical study of soil is very important because both physical and chemical properties which affect the soil productivity. This physico-chemical study of soil is based on various parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, moisture, soil organic matter, and soil organic carbon. This knowledge will create awareness among the farmers about economic productivity. In this study the physicochemical properties of soil samples obtained from Tepi campus was determined. Their value could be pH 6, Electrical conductivity 7.31µS/m, moisture content 5.038%, organic matter content 4.1% and organic carbon content 3.3%. Physical and chemical properties listed above indicate that this soil sample is productive and suitable for agricultural use. Based on the result in this study soil sample in the Tepi campus garden is slightly acidic, wet, and high organic matter content. Most of the south western parts of Ethiopia get high rain fall through the year more than eight month and its forest area. This makes the soil in this area high moisture content and organic matter content. Corn, maize, sugar cane and coffee are the most cultivated crops in this area.