Evaluation of Soil Cations in Agricultural Soils of East Wollega Zone in South Western Ethiopia
Journal Title: STAR Journal - Year 2013, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the status of soil exchangeable cations, aluminum, hydrogen, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, in agricultural soils of East Wollega Zone of South Western Ethiopia. A total of 353 soil samples were collected in 2011and 2012 G.C from 0-20cm depth. Five representative districts of East Wollega zone were selected purposively. Samples were collected from farmers’ crop fields. Samples were analyzed at Nekemte Soil Research Center Laboratory. Soils were analyzed for pH, exchangeable acidity and bases. Effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) was determined by summation and cations saturations were calculated. Data were analyzed by SAS software. Mean soil pH ranged from 4.88-5.25. Mean exchangeable acidity ranged from 3.25-5.55 cmol(+)/kg. Mean exchangeable calcium also ranged from 3.25-4.55 cmol(+)/kg. Mean exchangeable magnesium and potassium ranged from 3.02-7.66 cmol(+)/kg and 0.37-1.59cmol(+)/kg, respectively, while mean ECEC ranged from 9.81-12.88 cmol(+)/kg. Acidic, basic, calcium, magnesium and potassium saturations ranged from 30-43, 50-62, 24-61 and 4-11 %, respectively. Calcium, magnesium and potassium saturation percentages ranged from medium to high. Regression analysis showed soil acidity and exchangeable basic cations were significantly correlated. Mean soil pH, exchangeable acidity, calcium and potassium in study soils were rated as very strongly to strongly acidic, very high, low, and low to marginal, respectively. However, exchangeable magnesium was rated as high. Acid saturation was very high while basic cation saturations were in optimum ranges. The soils are infertile due to high acidity and low contents of calcium and potassium. The major crops are grown in stressed soil environment. Modeling lime, calcium and potassium rate for site specific recommendations and development of broad spectrum technologies such as acid tolerant crop varieties can be solutions for sustainable use of soils for agriculture in East Wollega zone.
Authors and Affiliations
Abdenna Deressa| Wollega University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Department of Soil Resource and Watershed Management, P.O. Box 395, Nekemte, Ethiopia, Bikila Bote| Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Nekemte Soil Research Center, P.O. Box 587, Nekemte, Ethiopia, Hirpa Legesse| Wollega University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Department of Plant Science, P.O. Box 395, Nekemte, Ethiopia
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP9500
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4314%2Fstar.v2i1.98836
- Views 406
- Downloads 23
Antibacterial Potential of Cashew Apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) Juice Against Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans
The aim of the present study was to determine antibacterial potential of cashew apple juice against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. Agar well diffusion assay was employed to screen...
Assessment of Water Supply and Sanitation: The Case of Embacho Town, Gidan Woreda, Northern Ethiopia
No Abstract
Tuberculosis-HIV Co-infection Rate among Smear Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients and Associated Risk Factors in Southern Ethiopia
The objective of this study was to estimate HIV infection and associated risk factors among smear positive pulmonary TB patients in Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was used to recruit 221 consecutive...
The Current Practices and Problems of School Based Supervision in Primary Schools of Jile Timuga Woreda
The purpose of this study was to identify the current practice and problems of school based supervision in government primary schools of Jile Timuga Woreda of Oromia Zone. A descriptive survey design of research methodol...
Factors Affecting Students’ Performance and Practice on Map Reading Skills: A Case Study of Selected Secondary Schools in Asela Town, Ethiopia
Geographical education empowers the communities to make more meaningful contributions to the national development by integrating geographical knowledge. Map reading skills are areas of study in geography, one of the di...