Abstract
Understanding of soil-physicochemical properties is necessary for appropriate utilization of soil resources. Soil resources characterization and classification are major requirements. In view of this, a study was conducted on soils of Jello-Chancho Watershed to characterize physicochemical properties of the soil. To achieve these objectives, three profiles were opened from the watershed and examined for their selected physicochemical properties. The soils were generally pinkish white to black color. The structure was granular in the surface horizons of all profiles while friable consistence in moist basis of surface horizons in all profiles. Textural classes were ranged from loam to clay whereas bulk density ranged from 0.90-1.18gcm-3, and total porosity ranged from 55.47-66.00%. The soils were rated as moderate acid to neutral. The EC was low in all studied profile. The OM contents in the study area ranged from 1.93-4.47% and TN contents ranged from 0.10-0.23%. Av. P was ranged from 0.02-3.86mgkg-1. The exchangeable potassium, calcium and magnesium were high to very high in all studied profiles while sodium was very low to high. CEC of the study soils were ranged from 18.90-68.20cmolckg-1 whereas percent base saturation ranged from 53-98%. The soils were classified as Abruptic-Luvisols (Profile-1), Haplic-Luvisols (Profile-2) and luvic-Phaeazems (Profile-3), respectively. The morphological and physiochemical properties of the soil for the study area change with topography and soil depth. Low level of OM, available P, total N, and exchangeable Na could be the major problems in the study area. The control of such damaging effects would require proper soil conservation strategies. Key words: Classification, horizon, morphological properties, profile, soil physico-chemical properties, topography.
Highlights
Soil is a slowly renewable natural resource that determines the sustainability of agricultural system
Color, structure, consistence, texture, density and porosity are some morphological and physical properties of the soil while altitude, topography, land use type and soil management history were considered as the physiographic features of the study area (Table 1)
This indicates that understanding the characteristics and classification of soils is best requirement for designing appropriate management strategies thereby solving many challenges that are facing the crop and livestock production sectors and in their efforts towards natural resource conservation, decision making, planning and policy formulation and management for sustainable development
Summary
Soil is a slowly renewable natural resource that determines the sustainability of agricultural system. Water movement, and vegetation productivity have relationships with soil. 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 its characteristics.
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