Analysis of Selected Physicochemical Parameters of Soils Used for Cultivation of Garlic (Allium sativum L.)
Journal Title: STAR Journal - Year 2014, Vol 3, Issue 4
Abstract
Assessment of some selected physicochemical parameters in soil samples collected from four agricultural areas of East Gojjam Zone (Debre Markos, Dejen, Bichena and Debre Werk), Ethiopia was studied. The soil characterization was carried out for parameters like moisture content (MC), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium. Na and K in the soil samples were analyzed using flame photometer, Ca and Mg were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer while conventional analytical methods were employed for the determination of the rest of the physicochemical parameters. The results obtained revealed that the concentrations of physicochemical parameters in the soil samples were in the range of; 7.35-11.01% for MC, 6.53-7.64 for pH, 0.09-0.34 mS/cm for EC, 1.25-3.44% for OC, 2.16-5.93% for OM, 30.75-41.83 cmol/kg for CEC, 845-1014 mg/kg for Na, 1980-6065 mg/kg for K, 952–2118 mg/kg for Ca and1751–4288 mg/kg for Mg. pH was found to vary from neutrality to slightly alkaline. The values of EC indicated that all samples of the soils are non-saline. Statistical test of significance using ANOVA revealed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the values of physicochemical parameters in the soil samples obtained from all the sampling sites. Correlation analysis was also employed to examine the relationship between the various parameters in the soil samples. The soil studied can be considered as good sources of essential nutrients and this information will help farmers to solve the problems related to soil nutrients, amount of which fertilizers to be used to increase the yield of crops.
Authors and Affiliations
Wodaje Addis| Department of Chemistry, Ambo University, Post Box No: 19, Ambo, Ethiopia, Alemayehu Abebaw| Department of Chemistry, Ambo University, Post Box No: 19, Ambo, Ethiopia
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP9710
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/star.v3i4.4
- Views 307
- Downloads 16
The Application of Garch Family Models for Agricultural Crop Products in Amhara Region, Ethiopia
In the recent past, the price of general commodities has increased in Ethiopia as well as in the world. The main objective of this study is to identify and analyze the factors that affect the average monthly price vola...
Inhibitory Effect of Cow Urine Extracts of Selected Plants against Pathogens Causing Rhizome Rot of Ginger
The present study was carried out to investigate the inhibitory effect of cow urine extracts of nine plants against two fungi viz., Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. zingiberi, Pythium aphanidermatum and a bacterium Ralstonia sol...
Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Corticolous Macrolichens
No Abstract
Short Term Climate Trend and Variability around Woliso, Oromia Region, Central Ethiopia
No Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Finchaa Sugar Estate: Public health Problem Assessment based on Clinical Records and Parasitological Surveys, Western Ethiopia
The survey of Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) in Finchaa Sugar Estate, Western Ethiopia, was conducted to investigate the prevalence and health problems of schistosomiasis with some of the risk factors. The examinatio...