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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    SOIL CHARACTERIZATION AND PHYSICAL LAND SUITABILITY EVALUATION FOR RAINFED MAIZE AND TEF CROPS PRODUCTION AT WOLKITE UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL FARM GURAGHE ZONE, ETHIOPIA
    (wolkite university, 2024-05-02) SHIBIKOM DESALEGN ERBA
    For precision agriculture, land use planning, and management, the major information sources are soil characterization, classification, and land suitability evaluation. The study was conducted at Wolkite university agricultural farm, Guraghe Zone, Ethiopia, to characterize, classify the soils and physical land suitability evaluation for the crop production. Three representative pedons from three slope categories (0-5, 5-10 and 10- 15%) were opened and described. Two major crops (maize(zea) and tef(eragrotis) were used for physical land suitability evaluation using simple maximum limitation approach. Thirteen undisturbed and disturbed soil samples were collected from all identified genetic horizon for laboratory physical and chemical soil parameters analysis. The result of study showed that the textural class of the study area entirely clay. The pH of the soils showed acidic to alkaline reaction (pH 5.02- 8.04). The soils were very low in available P (0.9- 0.38), high OC% (4.8), very high TN% (1), high K (7.93-9.85(cmolc kg1 soil), medium Mg (2.14-2.31(cmolc kg1 soil). In all pedons the soil was developed from vertic subsurface horizon and is classified as Calcic Vertisols (Hypereutric) according to the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB). Regarding physical land suitability, mapping unit 1Ac was marginally suitable (S3) for maize production due to CEC and pH as limiting factors and not suitable (N) for tef production due to LGP as limiting factor. mapping unit 2Ac was moderately suitable (S2) for maize CEC and pH as limiting factors and not suitable (N) for tef production due to LGP as limiting factor. mapping unit 3Ac was not suitable (N) for maize and tef production due to high pH and LGP as limiting factors. The mapping units could potentially be highly suitable (S1) for maize production if the soil be treated with lime to raise the pH. All mapping units (1Ac, 2Ac and 3Ac) were not suitable for tef production due to long length of growing period being the limiting factor. It is advisable to search crops that suit the climatic (very long maturing crops, >210 days), soil and landscape situation of the study area. cropping, cultivation and fertilization should be implemented so as optimize and sustain the agricultural production.
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    CHARACTERIZATION, CLASSIFICATION AND MAPPING OF SOILS OF MEGECHA MICRO-WATERSHED, EZHA DISTRICT, GURAGE ZONE, ETHIOPIA
    (wolkite university, 2023-06-01) 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 soil map 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