Lemma, Eshetu (2011) Assessment of Soil Acidity and Determination of Lime Requirement for Different Land Use Types: The Case of Degem Wereda, North Shoa Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
The study was conducted at Hanoqdegem and Anoqere Peasant associations in Degem Wereda North Shoa Zone. The main aim of the study is to examine the extent of soil acidity in different land use systems and determine the amount of lime to reclaim soil acidity problems. The different land use systems were; cultivated land, backyard land, Eucalyptus plantation and grazing lands. 24 Composite samples were collected along a transect in each of the land use systems and analyzed in laboratory. Lime requirement was determined using acid saturation method. The results showed that cultivated land and grazing land were strongly acidic (pH<5.5), whereas eucalyptus plantation and backyard were moderately acidic in both kebeles. Significantly higher soil pH, CEC, and Bases (p<0.01) were recorded in backyard compared to other land uses in both kebeles. On the other hand, significantly lower exchangeable acidity (p<0.05) was obtained in backyard and eucalyptus plantation compared to other two land use systems. Higher organic matter and total nitrogen were observed on the backyard land in both kebeles, whereas available phosphorous was also recorded under backyard. The lime requirement result indicates that 0.389 to 8.972 tons of lime was required for cultivated land using acid saturation method. Lime requirement was significantly and positively correlated with exchangeable acidity and acid saturation percentage. Also there was inverse significant (p<0.01) correlation between lime requirement and soil pH. The local farmers have understood the problem of soil acidity on their farm land and they called such “abakay” meaning “inactive”. They perceived that acidic parent material, high rainfall and continuous cultivation of crops are the major probable cause of soil acidity. Their management practice to cope up with soil acidity problem depends on the use of FYM around homestead garden and shift of crops land to other land uses. The manner in which soils are managed has a major impact on agricultural productivity and its sustainability. The study emphasized that soil acidity problem is crucial in the study area, and needs immediate intervention to amend the soil for sustainable crop production. Therefore, strategies to feed the expanding population have to seek a sustainable solution that better addresses soil acidity management in Degem area.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences Q Science > QE Geology |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Selom Ghislain |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Jun 2018 11:29 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Jun 2018 11:29 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/6296 |
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