Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Applications on the Highlands Grasslands of the Acidic Soil Physical and Chemical Properties: The Case of Meta-Robi District

Abstract

The study was undertaken at Meta Robi District, from June-October 2015, to evaluate the soil physical and chemical properties of the degraded natural grassland through application of chemical fertilizer, cattle manure, wood ash and lime.

The plot sizes were 4m x 4m with three replications arranged in randomized complete block design. The space between plots and replications were 1m and 2m respectively.

Soils in Ethiopian highlands have low levels of plant nutrients due to its removal by erosion and leaching by high rainfall. One of the major constraints natural pastures in hay production in the study area is improper nutrient management due to soil pH. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil property of degraded grasslands of Meta-Robi. The soil lab analysis results before the study indicated that the soil was salt free, slightly acidic pH (5.9), greater in cations exchange capacity (20.37), low in available Phosphorous (1.6ppm). The organic carbon and total nitrogen were rich (0.98% and 0.081%), higher in exchangeable Calcium (0.98) and Magnesium, sodium and potassium were ((3.6, 0.46 and12) respectively. The study indicated that the amelioration of the degraded grazing land with wood ash increased the soil pH.

Keywords: Soil pH, Meta Robi, Cattle Manure, wood ash and Lime