Assessing the Spatial Distribution, Condition, and Intensity of Soil Acidity for Informed Management Decisions in the Semen Aari District of Ari Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

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Soil acidity poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity in Ethiopia's highlands, particularly affecting the Semen Ari district in the Ari zone. The common practice of applying agricultural lime to mitigate soil acidity is hampered by a lack of detailed information on the extent, severity, and spatial distribution of acidic soils. This study aims to determine how soil acidity varies spatially by identifying and mapping the specific geographic patterns of soil acidity levels in the Semen Ari district. Seventy-one composite soil samples from the 0–20 cm layer were geo-referenced and analyzed. Using statistical analysis and ArcGIS software for spatial interpolation through ordinary kriging, soil pH ranged from 3.29 to 5.68, classifying 99% of the soils as strongly acidic. The root mean squared error (RMSE) of the interpolation was 0.30. Soil pH showed a significant negative correlation with exchangeable acidity but a non-significant negative correlation with organic carbon and total nitrogen. The results highlight the need for targeted soil management strategies, such as appropriate lime application rates and the cultivation of acid-tolerant crops, to enhance crop yields. Further research is recommended to include comprehensive soil property datasets to better understand the factors influencing soil pH variability, thus supporting more precise management of acidic soils in the region. The generated high-resolution soil acidity map serves as a valuable tool for agricultural planning and decision-making.