Spatial distribution of basic exchangeable cations under different land uses in soils of Hamelmalo, Eritrea

Abstract

The study was conducted at two sites; Hamelmalo Agricultural College and Basheri watershed area in sub Zoba Hamelmalo, Keren to determine the status of basic exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K and Na) under different land uses and their relationship with physco-chemical properties of soils. Global Positioning System based soil samples were collected randomly from different land use systems, cultivated (cereals and horticulture) and non-cultivated open wood lands. The pH values ranged from neutral to strongly alkaline and electrical conductivity values were found to be non-saline in nature. The textures of majority of the surface samples were found sandy loam. Availability of exchangeable Ca++, Mg++, K+ and Na+ in surface soils of all land uses varied from high to very high, moderate to high, very low to low and very low to moderate, respectively. Exchangeable K+ showed highly significant positive correlation (p less than 0.01) with clay content. However exchangeable Ca++ contents in soil was positively and significantly correlated (p less than 0.05) with pH, clay, silt and negative significant correlation (p less than 0.05) with BD. Mg++ had positive significant correlation (p less than 0.05) with clay content and negative significant correlation (p less than 0.05) with sand.