Abstract: Phosphorus (P) limits plant growth particularly in very strongly acidic soils. P availability to plant is a functional concept rather than measurable quantity. This research work was intended to synthesize nanocomposite material that can monitor soil P desorption kinetics and dynamics and relate to P uptake by maize (Zea mays L.). The binary oxide Fe-Al composite system, both in a crystalline and amorphous form was synthesized by sol-gel evaporation method and characterized by XRD,...
Abstract: Declining soil fertility is the major challenge to boost crop production in Ethiopia. As a result, assessment of soil fertility status and mapping can help to design site specific soil fertility management techniques. Therefore, this study was conducted at Agamsa watershed in Habru District, Northeastern Ethiopia, with the objectives of assessing the soil fertility status of the watershed and mapping the spatial distribution of the selected soil fertility parameters. Field survey w...
Abstract: Lack of effective indigenous soil rhizobia and low soil fertility including potassium deficiency are the major production constraints that limit the potential yield of faba bean in the study area. Hence, field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Rhizobium inoculation and potassium fertilizer application on nodulation, yield components and yield of faba bean; to determine the potassium use efficiency; and to evaluate the economic feasibility of the treatments for faba...
Abstract: Acidic soils limit the production potential of crops because of low availability of basic cations and excess of hydrogen (H+) and aluminium (Al3+) in exchangeable forms. In the western part of the country such as Assosa and Wellega, soil acidity is a well-known problem limiting crop productivity. A field study was conducted to assess the effects of lime, vermicompost and their combinations on selected soil physic-chemical properties and responses of soybean grown on acidic Nitisols...
Abstract: ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL UNDER DIFFERENT LAND USE TYPES AT WUYE GOSE SUBWATERSHED, NORTH SHOs loamy sand while it was sandy loam in homestead land and forest land. The BD ranged from 1.51 (GL) to 1.13 g/cm3 (HL) and TP varied 57.25 (HL) to 43.04% (GL). Soil water content at FC was ranged from (45.18) in homestead to (36.35%v) in grazing land. Permanent wilting point, in %v, was high (16.99) in homestead and forest to low (8.49) in grazing and cultivated land...
Abstract: Soil quality is very much affected by land use and also soil depth. A study was conducted at Sumbe sub-watershed, located in the Toke Kutaye District of West Showa Zone of Oromia region, with the objective of evaluation of selected soil physicochemical properties under different land uses and soil depth. The results revealed the existence of spatial variation in soil properties among land use types and with soil depth in a given land use. Relatively higher silt content (47.50%) was...
Abstract: Land degradation by soil erosion is a wide spread and serious phenomenon throughout the Ethiopian highlands causing significant loss of soil fertility, loss of productivity and environmental degradation. Thus, estimation of soil loss and identification of critical area for implementation of best management practice is central to success of a soil and water conservation program. This research has, therefore, been carried out to evaluate soil erosion risk in the study area so as to e...
Abstract: Knowledge of spatial variability of soil properties assists in decision making towards selection of appropriate management options pertinent to specific contexts. Liming acid soils is one of the available intervention options to amend soil acidity which can increase soil pH and alleviate Al toxicity to plants and thus maintain a suitable condition for growth of a variety of crops. Appropriate rate of lime and P fertilizer are therefore an important strategy on improving crop growth...
Abstract: It is known that all soils contain a certain amount of soluble salts and exchangeable sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. However, when the concentration of either of them is excess, it will interfere with many soil processes including plant growth and the effects depend on the degree of concentration and type of plant. It is, therefore, with this understanding that a study was conducted with the objective to classify and characterize the salt affected soils of Ambo-coba in ...
Abstract: Information on the Effect of Slope Gradient and Management Practices in soil chemical and physical properties is key for predicting the relative response of soils to application of fertilizers and putting forward appropriate management practices. The present study was, thus, conducted to assess the selected chemical and physical properties of the soils as affected by slope gradient and management practices at the Dawja Watershed in Enebse Sar Midir District of East Gojjam Zone, Eth...
Abstract: Soil survey and land evaluation are pertinent for effective utilization of natural resources and deliver site-specific soil management recommendations to the end-users. There is, however, limited information on the properties, constraints and potentials of soil resources in Hintalo Wajerat district of Northern Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to (1) characterize, classify and map soils (2) generate soil quality index and analyze its spatial distribution (3) assess and map so...
Abstract: Soil acidity is one of the soil chemical degradation problems affecting soil productivity in the Ethiopian highlands. So, amendment of these soils is of paramount importance to enhance their productivity. This study was conducted during the 2017 cropping season to determine the effects of lime and phosphorus levels on selected soil properties and bread wheat yield on acidic soils of Pawe Agricultural Research Center Banja sub-station in Awi Zone of Amhara National Regional State. T...
Abstract: Soil fertility depletion is one of the major limiting factors for wheat yield reduction in the study area. As a result, inorganic fertilizers are commonly supplied to the crop. However, continuous and sole use of inorganic fertilizers may lead to deterioration in soil chemical and physical properties. Therefore, the study was conducted to investigate the integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on selected soil properties and yield of wheat, which was conducted in Lume d...
Abstract: Low availability of P is among the major problems limiting crop production in the highlands of Ethiopia, including the study area, where soil acidity is a major problem. Information on chemical forms and rate of P adsorption, which can be used as a basis for P fertilizer recommendation, is not available in Cheha and Dinsho districts, souhthern highlands of Ethiopia. The current study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the amount and distribution of P forms as influenced by lime,...
Abstract: Low soil fertility and lack of site specific fertilizer recommendation to replenish declining soil fertility have been the critical challenges to boost maize production in Ethiopia. This study was conducted during 2017 cropping season in Bako Tibe district of west Shewa Zone to assess soil fertility of study area. One hundred geo-referenced soil samples were collected from 1 km x 1 km sub grid generated within 10 km x 10 km main grid. Field experiment was also conducted in this gri...