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Characterization and Classification of Soils of Askate Sub-watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia

Received: 13 March 2021     Accepted: 3 June 2021     Published: 10 June 2021
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Abstract

Characterization and classification of soil is the main central information source for judicious soil management and enhance agricultural economy. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objective of characterization and classification of soil on Askate sub-watershed, northeastern Ethiopia. Four representative soil pedons were opened along topographic position and described on each identified genetic horizons basis on the field for their morphological characteristics following the soil field description guidelines. The morphological properties were examined in the field while physical and chemical properties were analyzed in laboratory. The results of the study were revealed variation in morphological, physical, and chemical properties of the soils. Soil textural classes were sandy loam to loam sandy. The bulk density ranged from 1.04 to 1.60 g cm-3. The soil reaction rated as slightly acidic to moderate acidic (5.4 to 6.7). The OM ranged from 0.41 to 3.23% while available P ranged from 0.72 to 9.36 mg kg-1 which was low to medium rate. The exchangeable bases ranged from low to medium rate in the study area. CEC was medium to high rate, which implies the medium nutrient reservoir of the soil. Finally, three soil types, Humic Cambisols, Haplic Luvisol, and Cambic Umbrisols were identified in the study area according to World Reference Base. Using the soils according to their potential and applications of integrated soil fertility managements are essential to keep the sustainability of soil fertility and nutrient availability.

Published in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.aff.20211003.13
Page(s) 112-122
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Pedon, Soil Classification, Soil Characteristics, Topography

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Mulugeta Tufa, Seid Ahmed, Kefyialew Tilahun, Mulugeta Fiseha, Tadla Guadie. (2021). Characterization and Classification of Soils of Askate Sub-watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 10(3), 112-122. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20211003.13

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    ACS Style

    Mulugeta Tufa; Seid Ahmed; Kefyialew Tilahun; Mulugeta Fiseha; Tadla Guadie. Characterization and Classification of Soils of Askate Sub-watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia. Agric. For. Fish. 2021, 10(3), 112-122. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20211003.13

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    AMA Style

    Mulugeta Tufa, Seid Ahmed, Kefyialew Tilahun, Mulugeta Fiseha, Tadla Guadie. Characterization and Classification of Soils of Askate Sub-watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia. Agric For Fish. 2021;10(3):112-122. doi: 10.11648/j.aff.20211003.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.aff.20211003.13,
      author = {Mulugeta Tufa and Seid Ahmed and Kefyialew Tilahun and Mulugeta Fiseha and Tadla Guadie},
      title = {Characterization and Classification of Soils of Askate Sub-watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia},
      journal = {Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries},
      volume = {10},
      number = {3},
      pages = {112-122},
      doi = {10.11648/j.aff.20211003.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20211003.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aff.20211003.13},
      abstract = {Characterization and classification of soil is the main central information source for judicious soil management and enhance agricultural economy. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objective of characterization and classification of soil on Askate sub-watershed, northeastern Ethiopia. Four representative soil pedons were opened along topographic position and described on each identified genetic horizons basis on the field for their morphological characteristics following the soil field description guidelines. The morphological properties were examined in the field while physical and chemical properties were analyzed in laboratory. The results of the study were revealed variation in morphological, physical, and chemical properties of the soils. Soil textural classes were sandy loam to loam sandy. The bulk density ranged from 1.04 to 1.60 g cm-3. The soil reaction rated as slightly acidic to moderate acidic (5.4 to 6.7). The OM ranged from 0.41 to 3.23% while available P ranged from 0.72 to 9.36 mg kg-1 which was low to medium rate. The exchangeable bases ranged from low to medium rate in the study area. CEC was medium to high rate, which implies the medium nutrient reservoir of the soil. Finally, three soil types, Humic Cambisols, Haplic Luvisol, and Cambic Umbrisols were identified in the study area according to World Reference Base. Using the soils according to their potential and applications of integrated soil fertility managements are essential to keep the sustainability of soil fertility and nutrient availability.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Characterization and Classification of Soils of Askate Sub-watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia
    AU  - Mulugeta Tufa
    AU  - Seid Ahmed
    AU  - Kefyialew Tilahun
    AU  - Mulugeta Fiseha
    AU  - Tadla Guadie
    Y1  - 2021/06/10
    PY  - 2021
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20211003.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.aff.20211003.13
    T2  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    JF  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    JO  - Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
    SP  - 112
    EP  - 122
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-5648
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20211003.13
    AB  - Characterization and classification of soil is the main central information source for judicious soil management and enhance agricultural economy. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objective of characterization and classification of soil on Askate sub-watershed, northeastern Ethiopia. Four representative soil pedons were opened along topographic position and described on each identified genetic horizons basis on the field for their morphological characteristics following the soil field description guidelines. The morphological properties were examined in the field while physical and chemical properties were analyzed in laboratory. The results of the study were revealed variation in morphological, physical, and chemical properties of the soils. Soil textural classes were sandy loam to loam sandy. The bulk density ranged from 1.04 to 1.60 g cm-3. The soil reaction rated as slightly acidic to moderate acidic (5.4 to 6.7). The OM ranged from 0.41 to 3.23% while available P ranged from 0.72 to 9.36 mg kg-1 which was low to medium rate. The exchangeable bases ranged from low to medium rate in the study area. CEC was medium to high rate, which implies the medium nutrient reservoir of the soil. Finally, three soil types, Humic Cambisols, Haplic Luvisol, and Cambic Umbrisols were identified in the study area according to World Reference Base. Using the soils according to their potential and applications of integrated soil fertility managements are essential to keep the sustainability of soil fertility and nutrient availability.
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Mekdela Amba University, Tulu Awuliya, Ethiopia

  • Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Mekdela Amba University, Tulu Awuliya, Ethiopia

  • Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Mekdela Amba University, Tulu Awuliya, Ethiopia

  • Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Mekdela Amba University, Tulu Awuliya, Ethiopia

  • Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Mekdela Amba University, Tulu Awuliya, Ethiopia

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