Evaluation of Soil Acidity in Agricultural Soils of Smallholder Farmers in South Western Ethiopia
Journal Title: STAR Journal - Year 2013, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of soil acidity in agricultural soils in West Wollega, East Wollega and West Showa zones of South Western Ethiopia. A total of 478 soil samples were collected in 2006, 2011 and 2012 G.C from 0-20cm depth. Thirteen representative districts from West Wollega, East Wollega and West Showa zones were selected purposively. Samples were collected from farmers’ crop fields and analyzed at Nekemte Soil Research Center Laboratory for pH and exchangeable cations. Acid saturation percentages were derived by dividing exchangeable aluminum to sum of bases multiplied by 100. Data were analyzed by SAS software. Mean soil pH of different districts in West Wollega, East Wollega and West Showa zones ranged from 4.91-5.29, 4.87-5.30, and 5.25-5.50, respectively. Mean exchangeable acidity in different districts in West Wollega, East Wollega and West Showa zones ranged from 1.89-3.84, 1.61-4.76, and 0.18-0.57cmol(+)/kg, respectively. Mean exchangeable aluminum of different districts in West Wollega, East Wollega and West Showa zones ranged from 1.63-3.53, 1.62-4.71, and 0.05-0.32cmol(+)/kg, respectively. Exchangeable acid saturation in different districts in West Wollega, East Wollega and West Showa zones ranged from 50-76, 16-43, and 1-6%, respectively. Mean soil pH of study zones are rated as very strongly to strongly acidic and degree of acidity varies across districts. Moving from West Wollega zone to West Showa zone the extent of soil acidity and exchangeable acidity decreases. The soils of West Wollega and East Wollega zones have very high exchangeable aluminum and acid saturation percentages. Under such extreme acidity, major crops such as maize and sorghum in West Wollega and East Wollega zone may grow under suboptimal soil conditions. Thus, soil fertility research should geared towards ameliorating acidic soils with liming materials and developing crop varieties tolerant to soil acidity and Al toxicity.
Authors and Affiliations
Abdenna Deressa| Department of Soil Resource and Watershed Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Wollega University, Post Box No: 395, Nekemte, Ethiopia
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP9515
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4314%2Fstar.v2i2.98859
- Views 436
- Downloads 18
Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for the Phenotypic Traits in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Populations from Ethiopia
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important crop produced in Ethiopia for oilseed production and it ranks first in total production from oil crops. a study was conducted to determine the extent of genetic variability, he...
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...
Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Burmese Silk Orchid and Glass Fibers Composite Material
The mechanical properties of vinyl ester matrix composites reinforced with hybrid burmese silk orchid– glass fibres were evaluated. There are indications that the incorporation of both fibres into a single matrix whi...
Self-Regulatory Behavior of Adolescent Students in Ethiopia –The Case of Ayer Tena High School, Kolfe Keranio Sub City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Self-regulatory behavior is an important personal skill that strengthens in the course of transition from childhood to adulthood. While self-regulation promotes healthy and successful transitioning to adulthood, defici...
Efficacy of Botanical Insecticides against the Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) and Effect on Some of Its Natural Enemies on Field Pea in South Central Ethiopia
No Abstract