Assessment of the spatial variability of selected soil chemical properties using geostatistical analysis in the north-western highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to evaluate the status of selected soil chemical properties and to explore their spatial variability in various agroecosystems (AEs) of Choke Mountain, northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. A total of 74 geo-referenced composite surface (0-30 cm) soil samples were collected from representative farm lands. Soil chemical properties were analyzed following standard procedures. In addition, semi-variogram model was applied to estimate the spatial variability of soil properties. The results showed that soil chemical properties are below their threshold values in all agroecosystems and soil groups. The value of soil pH ranged from 4.3 to 6.8; Exchangeable acidity ranged from 0.124 to 0.180 cmol (+) kg−1; EC ranged from 0.02 to 0.19 dS m−1; OC ranged from 0.7 to 3.8%; TN ranged from 0.11 to 0.27%; Exchangeable potassium from 0.29 to 2.0 cmol (+) kg−1and CEC from 22 to 56 cmol (+)kg−1. The results also revealed that soil pH, exchangeable acidity, electrical conductivity, and exchangeable potassium showed strong spatial dependence whereas SOC and TN had moderate spatial dependence. The results indicated that soil quality is deteriorating. Hence, crop, soil and site-specific soil management strategies, primarily focusing on improving the content of SOM and addressing the problems of soil acidity are suggested to improve the soil conditions.