Characterization and Classification of Soils of Abobo Area, Western Ethiopia. (19th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yitbarek, Teshome; Beyene, Shelem; Kibret, Kibebew
• Other Names: Clemente Rafael Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Applied and environmental soil science. Volume 2016(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-12-19
• Subjects: Soil science -- Periodicals; Soils -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 631.405
• DOI: 10.1155/2016/4708235
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-7667

Abstract

Abstract : Knowledge of the kinds and properties of soils is critical for making decisions with respect to crop production and other land use types. A field survey and soil morphological description and laboratory analysis were carried out to describe, characterize, and classify the soils of Abobo area, western Ethiopia. Seven representative pedons (A-1 to A-7) were opened and described across the study area. The results revealed variation in morphological, physical, and chemical properties of the soils. The soils are clay loam to clayey in texture with bulk density values ranging from 1.12 to 1.32 g cm −3 and basic infiltration rate varying from slow to moderate (0.4 to 3.3 cm hr −1 ). They were moderately acidic to neutral in pH (5.5 to 7.1) and had very low to medium organic carbon (OC) (0.27 to 2.98%). Four soil types, Haplic Cambisols, Vertic Luvisols, Mollic Leptosols, and Mollic Vertisols, were identified in the area based on World Reference Base. Generally, the properties of the soils differed along the transect indicating their variation in productive potential and management requirements for specific agricultural use.