Abstract
Updated information on status of soil fertility and the soil plant nutrient relationship is important for soil fertility improvement and subsequently increases crop yields. The study was conducted to assess soil fertility status of sorghum fields and micronutrient concentration in sorghum tissues and examine the relationship between soil and sorghum tissue test micronutrient at Daro Labu district, Eastern Ethiopia. Twelve sorghum growing fields from four kebeles were selected purposively. Field survey was conducted to collect general information about soil fertility management practices and record spatial data. A total of 12 composite soil samples from the depth of 0-20 cm and 12 sorghum tissue samples were collected. The data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20. The soil texture was sandy clay loam and sandy loam. Soil bulk density was ranged from 1.35 to 1.53 g cm<sup>-3</sup> within an acceptable range. The total porosity of soil was ranged from 41.49 to 45.27%. The soils were very low in OM content with values ranging from 0.60 to 1.18%. The TN content of soil was ranged from 0.06 to 0.14% which was low. The soils were better in their available P content. The CEC of soil ranged from medium to high. Exchangeable Ca and Mg were found to be high and medium respectively. Exchangeable K was low to medium which showed deficiency of K. The soil had adequate level of DTPA extractable Fe and Mn whereas deficiency of Cu and B was recorded. The 75% of soil was showed Zn deficiency. Sorghum tissue had adequate concentration of Fe and Mn. However, 66.67%, 16.67% and 58.33% of sorghum tissues were deficient with Cu (0.35 - 10.53 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>), Zn (7.06 - 20.39 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>) and B (0.18 - 4.69 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>) concentration respectively. The extractable Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B concentration in a plant tissue were positively correlated with their respective soil micronutrients. The soil of the study areas were at normal condition in terms of the studied soil physical properties. The data regarding chemical fertility parameters indicated that OM, TN, P, K, Cu, Zn and B are the main limiting factors for crop production. Therefore, application of organic materials (compost, vermicompost, FYM, crop residue management) and balanced minerals fertilizers containing K, Cu, Zn and B could be recommended. Moreover, further studies on application rates of those fertilizers by considering soil type and crop variety are suggested.
Highlights
Depletion of soil fertility is increasingly being recognized as a fundamental biophysical root cause for declining food security in the smallholder farmers of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) [71]
The results were in agreement with the findings reported by Alemayehu Tadesse [6] and Mesfin Abebe [48] that the low levels of exchangeable K observed under acidic soils and intensive cultivation
Updated information on soil fertility status is important for soil management intervention and subsequently increases crop yields
Summary
Depletion of soil fertility is increasingly being recognized as a fundamental biophysical root cause for declining food security in the smallholder farmers of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) [71]. Continuous cropping and inadequate replacement of nutrients removed in harvested materials or lose through erosion and leaching has been the major causes of soil fertility decline [46]. This is evident in the intensively cultivated areas. Daro Labu District, West Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region, Eastern Ethiopia seriously declining and needs intervention to reverse In addition to this the loss of soil nutrients in Ethiopia is related to cultural practices such as low fertilizer use, removal of vegetative cover (such as straw or stubble) and burning plant residues or the annual burning of vegetation on grazing land [49]. Fertilizers containing micronutrients has not been applied to the soil, because since little or no attention has not been given to fertilizing the soil with micro nutrients leading to unbalanced fertilization and poor nutrient management and crop quality [77]
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