Characterization of Soils at Angacha District in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted at Angacha Research Station in Kembata Tembaro Zone of Southern Ethiopia to characterize the soils of the research station. A pedon with 2 m x 2 m x 1.5 m volume was opened and horizons were described in situ. Samples were collected from all identified horizons for laboratory analysis. The physico-chemical characteristics of the soil showed that the soil has good soil fertility status but organic carbon (OC) content was medium (1.56%). The soil type of the research station was identified to be Alfisols. Organic carbon (OC), total N, and K contents of the soil, ranging between 0.5 and 1.56%, 0.06 and 0.25%, and 0.19 and 0.37 Cmol (+) kg^-1, respectively, and decrease with depth, whereas the available P content is the same (40 ppm) throughout the horizons. Therefore, it is concluded that soil fertility management practices based on the findings should focus on maintaining and increasing OC and N content of the soil and monitoring for balances among nutrients.

Key words: Argillic, Alfisols, Soil characterization