Department of Natural Resources Management

URI for this collectionhttps://rps.wku.edu.et/handle/123456789/45806

Department of Natural Resources Management

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    EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT LAND USE TYPES, SOIL DEPTH AND TOPOGRAPHY ON SELECTED PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL AT WUNKE WATERSHED OF GETO WOREDA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
    (wolkite universty, 2023-10) HABTU WOLDEYESUS
    The study of soil's physical and chemical properties is critical for the sustainable management of agricultural resources and economic growth. The purpose of the study was to look into the effects of different land use types, soil depth and topography on selected physical and chemical properties of soil in the Wunke watershed of Geto woreda in southern Ethiopia. This study considered three land uses (cultivated, grazing, and enset land), two soil depths (0-20 and 20-40cm), and three topographic positions (upper, middle, and lower) in three replications. For laboratory analysis, a total of 54 composite samples were collected. A three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the statistical analysis system (SAS, 2008) to determine whether or not variations in soil their interaction were significant. The findings revealed that the majority of the soil's physical and chemical properties varied with, the interaction effect of land use, soil depth and topography. The interaction effects of land use and soil depth affected particle size distribution, BD, AP, OC, TN CEC, exchangeable bases and PBS. Exchangeable bases and PBS were all significantly influenced by the interaction effect of land use and topography. The interaction effect of soil depth and topography affected sand, silt, pH, AP, OC, TN, and Ca. The interaction effect of land use, soil depth, and topography affected CEC, exchangeable bases and PBS. The highest bulk density (1.17gcm-3) was found grazing land of lower depth, while the lowest (1.0 gcm-3) was found on enset land of lower depth. Soils on enset land had consistently higher pH values, followed by grazing and cultivated lands. , higher (4.1%) mean organic carbon content was found upper depth of lower topographic position and lower (2.4%) mean TN content values were found in cultivated land of lower depth. The effects of soil depth on soil properties revealed that the surface soil layer had the highest sand fraction, TN, OC, and CEC. The subsurface soil layer had the highest clay fraction and the lowest values of TN, OC, and CEC. The interaction effect of land use, soil depth, and topography on soil properties revealed that the lowest layers of soils with the highest exchangeable bases and CEC were found at the lower topographic position under the three land use types. Soil fertility in cultivated lands was lower than in enset and grazing lands. Most of the measured soil properties were better in enset land than in other land use soils, and lower topographic positions were better than upper and middle topographic positions.
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    CHARACTERIZATION, CLASSIFICATION AND MAPPING OF SOILS OF MEGECHA MICRO-WATERSHED, EZHA DISTRICT, GURAGE ZONE, ETHIOPIA
    (WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2023-11) ALEMU WEGU JEZA
    The study was conducted at Megecha Micro-Watershed Ezha District in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia. Because of a diversified geography, climatic conditions, and geology, Ethiopia has a variety of soil resources which were studied at small scales 1:250,000, with high levels of generalization. Site specific soil characterization and classification can serve as initial step in creating baseline information for developing land use planning and management practices. Therefore purpose of this study was to characterize, classify and mapping soils of Megecha micro-watershed, to generate baseline information, for formulating the management alternatives for different soil types identified. Four representatives Pedon were opened at the upper, middle and low slope position and soil field description was made. A total of 17 disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from each genetic horizon. The results of the study revealed that color, consistency, texture, bulk density (BD) and of the soils varied with the slope position and soil depth. Lower BD, darker red color and soft (dry) consistency were observed at the upper slope position whereas higher BD, very dark gray color and hard (dry) consistence were observed in the low slope areas. The depth of the soils was very deep (200+cm) and the textural classes varied from silt to clay, Soil reaction (pH)(5.3 to 6.3) categorized by moderately acid to slightly acidic, Soil organic carbon (SOC)(0.58 to 2.99%) content was categorized as low to high, Available Phosphorus (P) (0.28 –1.20 mg kg-1 ) was rated as inadequate range, Total Nitrogen (N) (0.02 to 0.27% ) content was rated as very Low to high, C: N ratio varies from (6.43 to 29) ) and found in low to high range, Soil CEC varied from (5 - 47 cmolc kg-1) categorized as very low to very high and PBS (19.19 to 87. 19%) was categorized as very low to very high. Regarding the soil classification Pedon 1 classified as Chromic Alisols (Epidystric), Pedon 2, Chromic Alisols (Dystric), Pedon 3 Hablic Alisols (Dystric) and Pedon 4 Pellic Vertisols (Hypereutric).The soilmap was developed for these identified soils types. Thus, in introducing new agricultural technologies like application of lime, use vermin compost and soil and water conservation practices were needed to the study area, the local variations in soils should be considered for a sustainable agricultural development.
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    SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, GROWTH AND YIELD OF BEETROOT (Beta vulgaris .L) AS AFFECTED BY BIOCHAR SOURCE AND RATE IN MESKAN DISTRICT, EASTERN GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA
    (WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2023-11) WELYOU MOHAMMED BESHIR
    Bio char application has been widely suggested as a highly improving soil property and fertility replenishment option to promote sustainable agriculture. The bio char amendment in the soil has received more study in recent times to reclaim soil property and improve productivity. This study aimed to investigate the interaction effects of different sources (coffee husk, maize cob, and Enset leaf) and rates(0, 5, 7.5 and 10 t ha-1) of bio char on soil chemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), and available phosphorus (Av. P) cation exchange capacity (CEC),growth (plant height, leaf (number, length and area), and yield (beet diameter, weight per (plant and pot)of beetroot at Meskan District. A factorial pot experiment was conducted at the greenhouse, and the experiment was set up using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four levels of biochar and three types of biochar sources and replicated three. The ANOVA result indicates that a significant variation was observed at P<0.05 among the interaction effects of source and rate of biochar on soil chemical properties like (pH, EC, OC, TN, and Av. P and CEC). The result of the analysis of variance specifiesthat pH and EC show a significant difference at p<0.05 among the interactions of source and rate ofbiochar. The highest values of soil pH and EC were 7.69±0.075 and 0.25±0.008 μm cm-1) respectivelyand the lowest was recorded in the control (6.46±0.075, 0.06±0.008μm cm-1) respectively. The ANOVAresults also state that a significantly varied value was recorded within the interaction effect of different sources and rates of biochar on OC, OM, TN, Av.p., and CEC, and the highest value of OC, OM, TN ,Av.p., and CEC was (7.93±0.15%, 13.68±0.29%, 0.76±0.01%, 21.5±0.49cmol. Kg-1and40.36±0.48mgkg 1) respectively and the lowest value (2.29±0.15%, 3.92±0.29%, 0.17±0.01%, 13.84±0.49mg kg-1and28.68±0.48 cmol.Kg-1) respectively was recorded as untreated treatment. The ANOVA result also indicates that a significant variation was observed (P<0.05) among the interaction effects of source and rate of biochar on growth and yield of beetroot, like plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area and length, beet diameter, and beet weight per plant and per pot. The result of analysis of variance table shows a significant variation in height. The highest value of plant height at the three growth stages was(25day, 50day and harvest) (18.56±0.67, 34.58±0.3and36.97±0.91 cm) respectively and the lowest value of plant height was (14.85±0.67, 25.88±0.3 and 35.43±0.91 cm), respectively, were recorded in control. Similarly, ANOVA showed that a significant difference value (P<0.001) resulted in a leaf (number, length and area) within the interaction effect of source and rate of biochar. The highest values were(19.66±0.48, 34.14± 0.26cm and 826.83±16cm-2), respectively, and the lowest value (17.66±0.48,29.04±0.26cm and 327.87±16cm2) resulted in untreated soil. Likewise, a significant variation was obtained (P<0.001) on beet (diameter, weight per plant and pot) within the interaction of the source and the rate of bio char. The maximum value of (beet (diameter, weight per plant and pot)) was (6.61±0.013cm, 482.67±3.05g and 1458.33±10.91g) respectively, and the minimum value was (5.78±0.013cm, 343±3.05g, and 1062±10.91g) was recorded within the control. The economic analysis result shows the highest net benefit was 1012,725,480 ETB ha-1obtained at soil treated with 7.5 t ha-1Enset leaf biochar with an additional gain of, 21596% from every Birr invested .Finally, the study concludes that the interaction effects of different sources and the rate of bio char show a significant variation among soil chemical properties, growth and yield of beetroot in a pot experiment. Future studies should articulate the study's need for additional bio char sources by increasing the rate over a long period on research stations and farmers' fields in locations with diverse management practices.
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    GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSES OF BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) VARIETIES TO SEEDING RATES AT WOLISO, SOUTH WEST SHEWA, ETHIOPIA
    (Wolkite University, 22-12) TESHALE ACHALU IBSA
    A field experiment was conducted during the 2021 main cropping season with the objective of determining the best seeding rate of bread wheat varieties for optimum growth and yield in Woliso District, South West Shewa, Ethiopia. Three varieties (Shorima, Ogolcho and Dandea) and five seeding rates (100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 kg ha 1 ) were used in factorially arranged randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated thrice. The analysis of variance revealed that the main and the interaction effect of variety and seeding rates had highly significant (p<0.01) on effect days to 50% emergence and heading; while the interaction effect of seed rate and variety was significantly (p<0.05) affected harvest index (HI) and grain yield of wheat varieties. Days to 90% physiological maturity, spike length and thousand kernels weight were affected highly significantly (p<0.01) and plant height (p<0.05) by the main effects of variety and seed rate. Number of effective tillers and number of kernels per spike were significantly (p<0.05) affected only by the main effects of variety and the main effects of seed rate, respectively. The above ground dry biomass yield was highly significantly (p<0.01) affected only by the main effect of the variety. The use of 150 kg ha 1 seeding rate for variety Dandea resulted in highest harvest index (37.29%) and grain yield (4103 kg ha 1 ). From the result of this study, the use of 150 kg ha 1 seed rate for variety Dandea and Ogolcho; and 175 kg ha 1 for variety Shorima were identified for good crop stand and final yield. However, extra study has to be done in diverse sites and time of year with a wide variety of seed rates and varieties to develop convinced recommendation of this stud
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    LAND USE TYPE AND LANDSCAPE POSITION EFFECTS ON SELECTED SOIL PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:THE CASE OF OMANCHO WATER SHADE GURAGHE ZONE SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
    (Wolkite University, 2022-04) ZEMECHA SAHILE EBDIO
    Understanding the effects of landscape positions and land use type on soil properties is crucial for improving the soil productivity and to ensure the environmental sustainability. The objective of this study was to assess land use type and landscape position effects on selected soilphysico-chemical properties at Omancho watershed in Guraghe Zone of Southern Ethiopia. Accordingly, thirty six soil samples were collected from lower, middle and upper landscape positions and four land use types ( woodland, grazing land, conserved and non-conserved land) at the depth of 0-15 cm in three replications. Data on selected soil physico- chemical properties were collected and statistically analysed.The result showed that most of measured soil properties were significantly (p<0.05%)influenced by the interaction effects of topographic positions and land use types.The highest values of sand (46.67%) was recorded on non-conserved land of middle position, silt (33.67%) from grazing land at upper position and clay (57%) at lower position of grazing lands. The textural class in the study site was clay. The maximum (1.23gcm-3) and minimum (0.94gcm- 3) soil bulk density (BD) values were recorded under upper position of non-conserved and lower position of conserved land respectively. The total porosity varied from 54 to 64.5 % which was recorded from the upper position of grazing land and the lower position of woodland respectively. The result showed that soil BD and sand fraction decreased from upper to lower position. In contrast, total soil porosity, clay and silt were increased from upper to lower position. Compared to conserved/woodlands, the non-conserved lands revealed the hightest BD and sand fraction. Soil pH was varied between 5.9 and 7.4% from the upper position of non-conserved land and lower position of conserved lands, respectively. The highest base saturation (73.13%) was recorded from the lower position on woodland uses, whereas the least value (46.4%) was recorded from the lower position of non-conserved land. The higher Av.P (1.04mg/kg soil) was recorded from the lower position of conserved land. The higher TN values (0.12%) was recorded from lower position of woodland, whereas the highest OC (1.20%) was recorded from lower positions of conserved land. The highest CEC (55meq/100gr soil) was recorded from the lower position of woodland whereas the least value (45meq/100gr soil) was recorded from the upper position of non-conserved land. Soil chemical parameters (pH, EC, Av.P, OC, TN, CEC) and exchangeable cations (K, Ca, and Mg) were significantly increased from upper to lower position. In general, the soil properties in all land use types were improved from upper to lower landscape positions. Thus, working soil and water conservation practices for all land use types, particularly in the upper land scape positions, are suggested.