Abstract: Land degradation by soil erosion is a wide spread and serious phenomenon throughout the Ethiopian highlands causing significant loss of soil fertility, loss of productivity and environmental degradation. Thus, estimation of soil loss and identification of critical area for implementation of best management practice is central to success of a soil and water conservation program. This research has, therefore, been carried out to evaluate soil erosion risk in the study area so as to e...
Abstract: Knowledge of spatial variability of soil properties assists in decision making towards selection of appropriate management options pertinent to specific contexts. Liming acid soils is one of the available intervention options to amend soil acidity which can increase soil pH and alleviate Al toxicity to plants and thus maintain a suitable condition for growth of a variety of crops. Appropriate rate of lime and P fertilizer are therefore an important strategy on improving crop growth...
Abstract: It is known that all soils contain a certain amount of soluble salts and exchangeable sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. However, when the concentration of either of them is excess, it will interfere with many soil processes including plant growth and the effects depend on the degree of concentration and type of plant. It is, therefore, with this understanding that a study was conducted with the objective to classify and characterize the salt affected soils of Ambo-coba in ...
Abstract: Information on the Effect of Slope Gradient and Management Practices in soil chemical and physical properties is key for predicting the relative response of soils to application of fertilizers and putting forward appropriate management practices. The present study was, thus, conducted to assess the selected chemical and physical properties of the soils as affected by slope gradient and management practices at the Dawja Watershed in Enebse Sar Midir District of East Gojjam Zone, Eth...
Abstract: Faba bean production is a common practice in Limu Bilbilo areas. However, its productivity is affected and limited by poor soil fertility and lack of alternative technologies such as application of optimum phosphorus fertilizer for different faba bean varieties. Limited studies on the role of P on faba bean varietal yield and yield components are reported in Ethiopia, especially in the case of Limu Bilbilo conditions. Studies on the effect of phosphorus (P) fertilization are genera...
Abstract: Agricultural practices of smallholders with low external and internal inputs fluxes cause the risk of depleting soil nutrient stocks, seriously threatening future agricultural production potentials in Ethiopia. To curb soil fertility depletion in these areas, it needs quantification of fluxes that are responsible for nutrient import into and export out of the farming system. The objective of this study was to quantify nutrient fluxes, pools and NPK balances at farm and field scales...
Abstract: Zinc and iron are among the essential plant nutrients required in relatively small quantities for plant growth. Deficiencies of Zn and Fe have been reported in soils of Tigray, Ethiopia. The deficiencies of Zn and Fe in the soil system affect both plant growth and the nutrient contents in the grain of cereals for human consumption. This study was developed to (1) assess the status of Zn and Fe in leaves of teff and bread wheat in relation to soil contents and properties in agro-eco...
Abstract: The study was conducted on Gemechis natural forest, West Hararghe, Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia with the objective of determining the floristic composition, structural analysis and regeneration of wood plant species. Systematic sampling was used to collect vegetation data. Accordingly,50 sampling quadrats of 20 m x 20 m were laid along six line transects at every 50 m interval within which five 5 m x 5 m small quadrats were laied to sample woody species with 2cm. Fifty one (51) ...
Abstract: Soil survey and land evaluation are pertinent for effective utilization of natural resources and deliver site-specific soil management recommendations to the end-users. There is, however, limited information on the properties, constraints and potentials of soil resources in Hintalo Wajerat district of Northern Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to (1) characterize, classify and map soils (2) generate soil quality index and analyze its spatial distribution (3) assess and map so...
Abstract: A Study on woody plant diversity and structure were conducted on Telet Forest in Sayint District, South Wollo Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Sixty four main quadrats of 20m × 20m with which five small quadrats of 5mx5m were systematically laid along transects. In each main quadrat, all tree/shrub and saplings and seedlings of woody species within the subplots were counted and recorded. Tree height of plants was also measured using a meter-stick so as to categorize plants into he...
Abstract: Tomato is an important cash crop grown by smallholder farmers as well as private investors in Raya Valley, Northern Ethiopia. However, the yield of the crop has been low due to poor soil fertility status and use of improper rates of fertilizers. Three independent field experiments were conducted to investigate the response of tomato to fertilizers at Raya Valley for two consecutive seasons during 2016/17 using drip irrigation. The first field experiment was carried out to investiga...
Abstract: Soil acidity is one of the soil chemical degradation problems affecting soil productivity in the Ethiopian highlands. So, amendment of these soils is of paramount importance to enhance their productivity. This study was conducted during the 2017 cropping season to determine the effects of lime and phosphorus levels on selected soil properties and bread wheat yield on acidic soils of Pawe Agricultural Research Center Banja sub-station in Awi Zone of Amhara National Regional State. T...
Abstract: Soil fertility depletion is one of the major limiting factors for wheat yield reduction in the study area. As a result, inorganic fertilizers are commonly supplied to the crop. However, continuous and sole use of inorganic fertilizers may lead to deterioration in soil chemical and physical properties. Therefore, the study was conducted to investigate the integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on selected soil properties and yield of wheat, which was conducted in Lume d...
Abstract: Low availability of P is among the major problems limiting crop production in the highlands of Ethiopia, including the study area, where soil acidity is a major problem. Information on chemical forms and rate of P adsorption, which can be used as a basis for P fertilizer recommendation, is not available in Cheha and Dinsho districts, souhthern highlands of Ethiopia. The current study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the amount and distribution of P forms as influenced by lime,...
Abstract: Low soil fertility and lack of site specific fertilizer recommendation to replenish declining soil fertility have been the critical challenges to boost maize production in Ethiopia. This study was conducted during 2017 cropping season in Bako Tibe district of west Shewa Zone to assess soil fertility of study area. One hundred geo-referenced soil samples were collected from 1 km x 1 km sub grid generated within 10 km x 10 km main grid. Field experiment was also conducted in this gri...