Status of Selected Properties of Soils under Crop Livestock Farming System in Eastern Ethiopia
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Date
2014
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Science Domain
Abstract
nformation on soil properties and fertility status of soils at farm levels under particular farming
system is essential for boosting farm productivity and for sufficient food production. This study was
conducted to investigate status and properties of soils under crop-livestock farming system, where
crop grains are produced for food security and residues for animal feed and domestic fuel
consumption. For the study, two farms under similar farming system were selected from two
districts in eastern part of Ethiopia: Adele farm from Haramaya and Bala Langey farm from Kersa
districts. Soil samples were collected from crop fields of each farm and analyzed following standard
methods for soil physical and chemical analyses. The results indicate that soil textural class is
sandy clay loam at both farms. The mean bulk density values were 1.43 and 1.39g cm-3 for Adele
and Bala Langey farms, respectively. The soil reaction for Adele farm was neutral (pH=7.23)
whereas soils of Bala Langey farm had slightly acidic reaction (pH=6.57). Organic carbon contents
of soils of both farms were low, less than 1.5%. Nitrogen was low for Adele farm soils (<0.15%) and
in the moderate range for Bala Langey farm soils (0.15-0.25%). Available soil P was very low at both farms (<10mgkg-1
). Extractable soil sulfur was also low for both farms (<5 mgkg1
). CEC of the
soils of Adele farm was very high (>50Cmol (+)kg-1 ) and it was high (>40 Cmol(+)kg-1) for Bala
Langey farm soils. Exchangeable base contents and EDTA extractable micronutrients were in the
sufficiency ranges for soils of both farms. This study indicated that very low available phosphorus,
low organic carbon and nitrogen followed by sulfur are the most productivity limiting factors
associated with soil fertility as a result of crop residues removal for animal feed and domestic fuel
consumption. Intervention management should focus on the enhancement of organic carbon,
phosphorus, nitrogen and sulfur.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Crop residue, Farm, Farm productivity, Soil fertility, Soil properties