Abstract
Information on soil fertility status of acid soil of a particular area as affected by land use type is important for developing sound soil management systems for improved and sustainable agricultural productivity. The main objective of this study was to assess the fertility status and effect of land use change on soil physicochemical properties. In this study, adjacent three land use types, namely, enset-coffee, crop, and grazing land use were considered in four districts (i.e., Bolos Sore, Damot Gale, Damot Sore, and Sodo Zuria) of Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–20 cm from each land use type of the respective districts for physicochemical analyses. The results showed that land use types significantly affected ( P ≤ 0.05 ) soil properties such as bulk density, available P, exchangeable potassium, exchangeable acidity, exchangeable bases (Na, K, Ca, Mg), exchangeable acidity, and CEC. Besides, soil pH, OC, and TN were influenced significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 ) both by districts and land use types. The very strongly acidic soils were found predominantly in the crop and grazing lands whereas a neutral acidity level was found in the enset-coffee land use type of four districts. In conclusion, the study proves that land use type change within the same geographic setting can affect the severity of soil acidity due to over cultivation and rapid organic matter decomposition. Finally, the study recommends an in-depth study and analysis on the root causes in aggravating soil acidity under crop and grazing land use types.
Highlights
Agricultural sustainability requires periodic evaluation of soil fertility status, which is important in understanding factors that impose serious constraints to crop production under different land use types and for adoption of suitable land management practices [1]. e land-use systems play a tremendous role in influencing nutrient availability and cycling and may influence secondary succession and biomass production [2, 3]
Haile et al [5] estimated that ∼43% of the Ethiopian crop land is affected by soil acidity). e soil acidity in Ethiopia is dominated by strong acid soils [6]. e decline in soil fertility is caused by land use type changes [7]. e loss of soil fertility in Ethiopia is related mainly to cultural practices such as low fertilizer use, removal of vegetative cover, and burning plant residues or the annual burning of vegetation on grazing land
Degree, extent, and causes of severe soil acidity in the Wolaita can assist policy makers, researchers, extension workers, and farmers to improve the fertility and productivity of the acid. us, this study was conducted to determine the physicochemical properties of different land use types and extents of soil acidity of the Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia
Summary
Agricultural sustainability requires periodic evaluation of soil fertility status, which is important in understanding factors that impose serious constraints to crop production under different land use types and for adoption of suitable land management practices [1]. e land-use systems play a tremendous role in influencing nutrient availability and cycling and may influence secondary succession and biomass production [2, 3]. Soil acidity and associated low nutrient availability are key constraints to crop production in acidic soils, mainly Nitisols of Ethiopian highlands [4]. E decline in soil fertility is caused by land use type changes [7]. E major agricultural constraints in Wolaita area are shortage of land for crop cultivation and livestock grazing, decline of soil fertility, rainfall variability, and pests and diseases. Degree, extent, and causes of severe soil acidity in the Wolaita can assist policy makers, researchers, extension workers, and farmers to improve the fertility and productivity of the acid. Us, this study was conducted to determine the physicochemical properties of different land use types and extents of soil acidity of the Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia Degree, extent, and causes of severe soil acidity in the Wolaita can assist policy makers, researchers, extension workers, and farmers to improve the fertility and productivity of the acid. us, this study was conducted to determine the physicochemical properties of different land use types and extents of soil acidity of the Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia
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