Assessing the Physicochemical Properties of Soil under Different Land Use Types

Abstract

The economies for most developing countries primarily depend on agriculture. Studying the physicochemical properties of soil is important for sustainable management of the agricultural resources and economic growth. Soil acidity is one of the main reasons for nutrient depletion as well as causes of fertility decline that affects crop production. The main objective of this investigation is to assess the acidity status and physicochemical properties of soil in different land use types in Alket Wonzi Watershed, Farta district, Northwest Ethiopia. Soil samples were taken at 0-25 cm depth, on four land use types viz., natural forest, cultivated land, plantation forest and grazing land. The result soils in the natural forest had significantly (p<0.05) higher soil pH and lower exchangeable acidity (p<0.01). Similarly, significantly higher (p<0.01) exchangeable bases (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+), total nitrogen, organic matter, available potassium, cation exchange capacity and clay content was also registered from soil of the natural forest compared to the other land use types. The study further revealed that there was significant (p<0.05) difference in available phosphorus among the different land use types. However, there was no significant difference in silt fraction, sand, bulk density and exchangeable sodium under soils of different land uses. The results obtained from the study indicated that soils of grazing, cultivated land and plantation forest are strongly acidic (pH<5.5). Therefore, appropriate reclamation method should be lunched to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability of the study area.