Determine the status of soil physiochemical properties of the Hawa Moyi micro-watershed in Western highland of Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Information on soil is essential in sound land use planning which can enhance the production and productivity of the crops and improve the livelihood of communities. Detail assessments of the morphological, physical and chemical properties of the soil are essential in sustainable soil management. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the status of soil physiochemical properties and identify the soil types of the Hawa-Moyi micro-watershed in the western highland of Ethiopia. Six representative soil pedons were opened along topographic positions on different land use types and described on each identified genetic horizon. The morphological properties were examined in the field while physiochemical properties were analyzed in the laboratory. Accordingly, the depth of soil was very deep for all pedons. The soil color of the study area ranged from red to very dark brown whereas the soil structure ranged from moderate granular to very strong angular blocky. Soil textural classes were clay loam to clay whereas bulk density ranged from 0.97-1.69gcm− 3in the watershed. The soil pH was rated as very strong acidic to moderately acidic whereas OM ranged from 0.22–6.23%. Total N contents ranged from 0.01–0.43% with Av. P ranged from 3.38-9.15mgkg− 1. The CEC varied from 19.42–38.5 cmolckg− 1 whereas PBS ranged from 22.47–41.82%. The soil of the study area is classified as Nitisols. Generally, the soil morphological and physiochemical properties of the study area varied along the topographic position, soil depth and land use types. In the case of its fertility status, the nutrient contents of surface soils almost ranged from low to medium with strong acid to moderate acid. Therefore, it is recommended that the soils in the study area be managed for soil fertility as well as for the removal of too many exchangeable bases and soil acidity using integrated soil fertility management methods.