ISSN: 2329-8863

Advances in Crop Science and Technology
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  • Research Article   
  • Adv Crop Sci Tech 2017, Vol 6(2): 341
  • DOI: 10.4172/2329-8863.1000341

Soil Morphology, Physico-Chemical Properties and Classification of Typical Soils of Abelo Area Masha District South Western Ethiopia

Isreal Z1*, Tana T2, Wogi L3 and Mohammed A4
1Department of Horticulture, Mizan-Tepi University, P.O, Box 260, Mizan Teferi, Ethiopia
2School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O, Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
3School of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O, Box 138 Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
4Department of Post-harvest Management, College of Agri and Vet Medicine, Jimma University, P.O.Box 37, Jimma, Ethiopia
*Corresponding Author : Isreal Z, Department of Horticulture, Mizan-Tepi University, P.O, Box 260, Mizan Teferi, Ethiopia, Tel: +251 47 336 0035, Email: zewideisreal@gmail.com

Received Date: Jan 30, 2018 / Accepted Date: Feb 23, 2018 / Published Date: Mar 01, 2018

Abstract

A soil profile representative of typical soils of Abelo area Masha District, South-west Ethiopia, was dug to study its morphology, physico-chemical characteristics and to classify it using two internationally known soil classification systems. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken from designated pedogenic horizons for physical and chemical analysis in the laboratory. Soil morphological observations revealed that the pedon was well drained and very deep with dark brown to dark yellowish-brown topsoil overlying brown to strong brown sandy clay loam to sandy clay subsoil. Clay eluviation - illuviation was a dominant process influencing soil formation in the study area as indicated by the clay gradient between the eluvial and illuvial horizons in the subsoil. The soil was characterized by weak fine sub angular blocky structure throughout its Pedon depth. Laboratory analysis indicates that the soil was very strongly acid (pH 4.49-5.2) throughout the profile, the pedon has low N (0.1-0.13), low to medium OC (1.3-1.87%). Low Av. P (3.4-8.5 mgKg-1), low C:N (13-14.38), Available. K (25–54 mgKg-1), Low to medium Ca (5-7.12 cmol (+) kg-1soil), medium Mg (1.5-2.16 cmol (+) kg-1 soil), medium K(0.32-0.41 cmol (+) kg-1soil), TEB (6.82-9.69), Ac(2.4-3.58), Al(1.8-2.52), moderate CEC(18.8-21.44 cmol (+) kg-1), ECEC (9.22-13.28) CECclay (37.6-46.41 cmol (+) kg-1), high Pals (9.81-13.59%), high PAcs (11.11-16.66%), low (PBS<50%), low Ca/Mg (3.06-3.33), medium Mg/K (4.41-6.68), high K/TEB (0.035-0.05), low Calcium saturation (26.88-34.67%), low Magnesium saturation (8.06-10.80%), Textural class (sandy clay loam-sandy clay), Bd (1.32-1.36 gcm-3), high Pd (2.708-2.766 gcm-3), and porosity (50.83-51.25%). Using field and laboratory analytical data, the representative pedon was classified to the series level of the USDA Soil Taxonomy as Abelo, fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Rhodic Paleudults and to Tier-2 of WRB as Rhodic Nitosols Ortho dystric. The general fertility of the soils of the area is discussed highlighting their potentials and constraints.

Keywords: Soil characterization; Soil chemical properties; Soil classification; Soil fertility evaluation; Soil morphological properties; Soil fertility evaluation; Soil physical properties

Citation: Isreal Z, Tana T, Wogi L, Mohammed A (2018) Soil Morphology, Physico-Chemical Properties and Classification of Typical Soils of Abelo Area Masha District South Western Ethiopia. Adv Crop Sci Tech 6: 341. Doi: 10.4172/2329-8863.1000341

Copyright: © 2018 Isreal Z, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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