Abstract: Characterization and classification of soil is the main source of information for precision agriculture, land use planning and management. For an efficient use of the limited land resources, site specific management recommendations based on site specific information are much required. Undulating topography, altitudinal differences and large variations in slope were characteristic features of the present study area (Dhengego subwatershed). The purpose of the present study was to cha...
Abstract: Rain-fed agrarian reported as the backbone of the Rwandan economy has been severely affected by prolonged droughts and climate change impacts, resulting in severe food insecurity. In the Eastern Province, adoption of mono-cropping (MnC) system at dissent driven by the CIP may critically worsen the rain-fed agricultural gains against of mixed cropping (MxC) systems in drought conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze and compare SOC stocks, simulated maize biomass and grain...
Abstract: This study was carried out in Kulkullessa Sub-Watershed of Goro Gutu District in Eastern Ethiopia to assess the effects of climate smart SWC practices and slope gradient on selected physicochemical properties of the soil and the soil's organic carbon stocks. The farmland conserved by SB, BT and GS five years after construction with two slope gradients (15-20%) and (21-30%) was selected. Twenty-four composite soil samples were collected from a depth of 20 cm and tested in the Harama...
Abstract: Any study concerning agricultural use of the soil resources has to begin with the characterization, genetic assessment and classification of the soils since these aid to identify constraints and potentials of soils that play great role in the exchange of knowledge among agricultural experts. The soil resources of East Hararghe, due to different environmental factors, especially due to the strongly rugged topographic condition and anthropogenic influences over a long period of time,...
Abstract: Site specific soil studies that include survey, characterization and classification at large scale are necessary to identify the production potentials and constraints that may limit agricultural Production and thereby to make site specific appropriate recommendations to solve agricultural problems based on the spatial variability of soil properties. The present study was conducted with the objective of characterization, classification and mapping soils of Hate Leman micro-watershed...
Abstract: Declined soil fertility is one of the main constraints to improve food production in Ethiopia and inadequate information about soil fertility in the study area. To replenish impoverished soils, site and crop-specific studies of soil fertility parameters are required to devise appropriate suggestions for site-specific balanced fertilizer recommendation and soil fertility management in the study area. With this milieu, this study was initiated to assess soil fertility, quantify nutri...
Abstract: The Decline in soil fertility due to nutrient depletion is a concern for low-input crop production in most parts of Ethiopia. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the effect of vermicompost combinations with NPS fertilizer on soil physicochemical properties, Mungbean yield and yield components in Amibara district, middle awash, Ethiopia. The study was conducted at Werer Agricultural Research Center using mungbean under irrigated conditions. Experimental treatmen...
Abstract: Soil test based fertilizer recommendation concurrent to the actual limiting nutrients for a given crop helps to supply adequate and balanced plant nutrients for sustainable crop production without affecting soil health negatively. Blended NPSB fertilizer is a newly introduced fertilizer for crop production in the study area. However their optimum rate for maize crop production and their impact on selected soil property is not yet determined in the study area. Therefore a study was ...
Abstract: Changes in land use, particularly the transformation of natural ecosystems into managed agroecosystems under poor management practices, are widespread in Melka Gura Subwatershed in North Shewa, Ethiopia. Therefore, studying variations and status in soil properties across land uses is essential to knowing the extent and magnitude of soil degradation across different land uses and planning suitable soil management strategies. Due to this, the current study evaluated certain soil phys...
Abstract: The study evaluated the effects of soil organic matter amendments on temporal dynamics of populations of A. flavus and antagonistic microbes, and on aflatoxin contamination in groundnut under field conditions in Malawi. The study also investigated the implications of rainfall on populations of the microbes. Treatments included commercial organic fertilizer applied at the rates of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 t ha-1; and farmyard manure at rates of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 t ha-1, while an untreated pl...
Abstract: Soil fertility depletion in smallholder farms is the fundamental biophysical root cause for declining per capita food production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Climate change exacerbates the problem of poor soil health. The combined use of mineral and organic fertilizers in ways that are adaptable to local conditions has the potential to achieve efficient nutrient use and result in improved yields for staple food crops. Despite multiple efforts made by the government of Kenya and internati...
Abstract: Vertisols cover large areas which are widely used for agriculture in Ethiopia. The chemical and physical properties of Vertisols are influenced by the type of clay minerals which appears to be mainly smectite, with different proportions of other clays such as kaolinite, illite and vermiculite. Potassium (K), a major plant nutrient with in the soil, exists in different forms. Assessing the fractions of K is important to have knowledge on the supplying power of soil K for plant nutri...
Abstract: This study assessed the impact of Lantana camara invasion on herbaceous species diversity and soil physio-chemical properties in Babile District, Eastern Ethiopia. To collect the vegetation data, 1mx1m plots were laid down in each 60 selected lantana individuals under and outside the cover in four directions. From each plot, a soil sample was taken from 0-15cm depth after removing litter from the soil surface for Soil physiochemical analysis. Three herbaceous species (Panicum color...
Abstract: Parthenium hysterophorus has become a major environmental, social, and economic threats in Ethiopia. Therefore, identification and mapping of suitable habitats and impacts on soil chemical properties are vital to design future management strategies. A total of 36 soil samples were collected from P. hysterophorus invaded and non-invaded sites. A total of 1,352 P. hysterophorus occurrence records and 19 bioclimatic variables were collected from different sources. ANOVA was conducted ...
Abstract: Knowledge about types of soils and the status of their quality is needed for developing sound land use planning and soil management decision for enhancing crop productivity. However, such information is lacking in Kersa sub-watershed in eastern Ethiopia where the current study was conducted. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to 1) characterize and classify soils of the study area, 2) determine soil quality indicators using minimum data set and calculate soil quality ind...