Assessment of physicochemical properties of acidic soils of western wollega Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Herein, we have reported an assessment of the physicochemical properties of acidic soils from selected districts of the western Wollega Zone of Oromia Regional State. The soil samples were collected from Boji Dirmaji, Kiltu Kara, Mene Sibu, and Nedjo with the objective to assess the physicochemical properties and fertility status of selected soils. A total of four soil samples were collected randomly at a depth of 0-20 cm by using a soil sampling auger. The pH of the soil in the study area was found to be in the range of 4.35-5.06 which is classified as very strong acid to strong acid. The Electrical conductivity is 0.019-0.08 dS/m which is non-saline, organic carbon classified as low and organic matter is 0.88-1.80 % range which is very low to low. For BD and MS soil samples OM and OC were highly correlated (r = 1.00*) at 0.05 level and similar for KK and NE soil samples (r = 1.00**) at 0.01 level. Exchangeable acidity (meq/100 g) is rated as very high to low. Available Pt he of studied area (3.53-10.11 mg/kg) and it was rated as low, and medium for total P (0.33-0.55 g/kg) range. Total nitrogen (0.03-0.22 %) and is rated as very low to medium range. Extractable Fe and Mn by dithionite and oxalate were classified as high, and Fed and Feox highest extraction was from Kiltu Kara (1.02 g/kg) and Kiltu Kara and Boji Dirmaji (0.27 g/kg) which are comparable and lower at Mena Sibu (0.3 and 0.12 g/kg) soil samples respectively. By the same way for Mnd and Mnox higher extraction were from Mena Sibu (0.43 g/kg) and Nedjo (0.1 g/kg) and lower at Nedjo (0.03 g/kg) and Kiltu Kara (0.06 g/kg) soil samples respectively. Total P and Fed are inversely correlated (r = -0.87) for BD. Soil textures of studied areas were generally classified as sand clay loam in texture in all soil samples. Data were analyzed by SAS software to now the significance difference between each soil samples and SPSS to see correlation between soils.