Influence of land-use types and topographic slopes on the physico-chemical characteristics of soils in Northwestern Ethiopia
Résumé
Aims This study examines the effects of land-use types and slope position on selected soil physico-chemical properties in the Ageza Watershed, Northwestern Ethiopia, focusing on soil fertility depletion and its impact on agricultural productivity. Materials and methods The experiment utilized a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, involving three land-use types and slope positions. A total of 27 soil samples (both disturbed and undisturbed) were collected, prepared, and analyzed for selected physico-chemical properties following standard laboratory procedures. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with SAS software. Results Significant variations in most soil physico-chemical properties were observed across land-use types and slope positions. Soil bulk density, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Av. P), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangeable bases significantly ( P ≤ 0.001) differed among the land-use types and slope positions. The main effects showed significant ( P ≤ 0.05) differences in sand, silt, and clay contents across the land-use types. However, pH did not show significant differences ( P > 0.05). Soil bulk density, silt content, Av. P, exchangeable bases, and CEC all showed significant ( P ≤ 0.01) differences among the slope positions. Forest land had the highest values for clay (46.11%), OC (6.08%), Av. P (20.60 mg/kg), CEC (33.89 cmol (+) kg - ¹), and exchangeable cations: Ca² + (23.72 cmol (+) kg - ¹), Mg² + (4.40 cmol (+) kg - ¹), K + (1.18 cmol (+) kg - ¹), and Na + (0.77 cmol (+) kg - ¹). Grazing land exhibited higher silt and bulk density, while cultivated land had higher sand content. Lower slope positions recorded the highest values for clay (47.33%), silt (20.77%), pH (4.90), Av. P (16.61 mg/kg), Ca² + (20.10 cmol (+) kg - ¹), Mg² + (3.73 cmol (+) kg - ¹), K + (1.00 cmol (+) kg - ¹), Na + (0.66 cmol (+) kg - ¹), and CEC (28.71 cmol (+) kg - ¹), while bulk density was higher in the upper slope position. Conclusion Land-use types and slope positions significantly influence variations in soil physico-chemical properties and overall soil fertility status. Forest preservation and management are essential to improve the soil fertility in this region.
Citer ce document
Accès au document
Texte intégral en lecture en ligne, réservé aux abonnés SPHAERO et aux membres de l'institution. Se connecter
Voir l'article sur le site de la revueAuteur(s)
Statistiques
Consultations : 1
Téléchargements : 0