Effects of Different Land Use Types on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Soils are obviously inconstant and their properties are changing across land use types. Essential soil physico-chemical assets impact the performance of soil and, therefore, information on soil property is important. The objective of the study was to determine effects of different land use systems on soil physico-chemical properties in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from three different land uses, enset ( Ensete ventricosum ), tef ( Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) and grass lands. Each replicated three times and the composite sample was taken. All the properties are significantly different and determined using appropriate methods. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, texture, organic matter and phosphate in soil were determined experimentally to study the effects of land use on them. Changes in soil properties in dissimilar land usage forms at two pits (0–15 and 15–30 cm) were detected on various soil properties signifiant to crop growth. Enset filds had higher pH (5.80), electrical conductivity (EC (0.14 ds/m)), available P (35.25%) and Zn (8.64 mg/kg), exchangeable K (3.12 Cmol(+Kg) which is ascribed due to the input of dung, while tef fields had lowest average K (1.38 cmol (+kg) and Mg (1.89 cmol(+kg), cation exchange capacity (CEC (20.21 cmol(+kg)), total N (0.13%) and OC (1.76%). Most of the physico-chemical properties of the study region were significantly influenced by the different land uses. The evidence derived from the current study will support in mounting maintainable and environmentally constant land use management strategies for the study region. Consequently, supplementary comprehensive studies that include soil characterization and field experiment on crop nutrient requirement should be conducted to test the effect of land use forms on soil physico-chemical properties in terms of sustainable use of the land.