Abstract
Characterization and classification of soil is the main central information source for judicious soil management and enhance agricultural economy. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objective of characterization and classification of soil on Askate sub-watershed, northeastern Ethiopia. Four representative soil pedons were opened along topographic position and described on each identified genetic horizons basis on the field for their morphological characteristics following the soil field description guidelines. The morphological properties were examined in the field while physical and chemical properties were analyzed in laboratory. The results of the study were revealed variation in morphological, physical, and chemical properties of the soils. Soil textural classes were sandy loam to loam sandy. The bulk density ranged from 1.04 to 1.60 g cm-3. The soil reaction rated as slightly acidic to moderate acidic (5.4 to 6.7). The OM ranged from 0.41 to 3.23% while available P ranged from 0.72 to 9.36 mg kg-1 which was low to medium rate. The exchangeable bases ranged from low to medium rate in the study area. CEC was medium to high rate, which implies the medium nutrient reservoir of the soil. Finally, three soil types, Humic Cambisols, Haplic Luvisol, and Cambic Umbrisols were identified in the study area according to World Reference Base. Using the soils according to their potential and applications of integrated soil fertility managements are essential to keep the sustainability of soil fertility and nutrient availability.
Highlights
The productivity of agricultural soils in worldwide is currently declining and per capita food grain production decreased significantly [1] This decline was attributed to periodic droughts, poor management and exploitative agriculture coupled with the soil degradation [2]
The soil pedons described at the upper slope, middle slope, lower slope, and toe slope positions were characterized by A-B-C, A-B-BC-C, A-B-CB-C, and Ap-ABt1-Bt2-horizon, respectively (Table 2)
Adequate information on soil characteristics and classification is a vital for maintaining soil productivity and realization of land use planning
Summary
The productivity of agricultural soils in worldwide is currently declining and per capita food grain production decreased significantly [1] This decline was attributed to periodic droughts, poor management and exploitative agriculture coupled with the soil degradation [2]. Successful agriculture requires the sustainable use of soil resource, because soils can lose their quality and quantity within a short period of time for many reasons such as intensive cultivation, leaching and soil erosion [4]. Due to the increasing rate of population demanding food, the nutrients have been depleted and the productive capacity of soils has diminished through changes in soil characteristics [6]. This demands systematic evaluation of soil resources with respect to their extent, distribution, characteristics, and use potential, which is very important for developing an effective land use system to enhance agricultural production on a sustainable basis [7]
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