Effects of land use types on selected soil physical and chemical properties: The case of Kuyu District, Ethiopia

Abstract

Information about effects of land use types on selected soil physical and chemical properties isessential in sustainable utilization of soil resources. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluateeffects of land use types on selected soil physical and chemical properties on Kuyu district, Ethiopia.Totally, 24 composite soil samples were collected from grass, cultivated, forest and grazing lands bytwo soil depths (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm) with three replications. The two way analysis of variancewas used to test the mean differences of the soil physical and chemical properties. The highest meanvalues of sand and clay were recorded in cultivated and grasslands, respectively. The mean bulkdensity of the soils ranged from 1.10 and 1.37 g cm-3 and the mean total porosity ranged from 48.2to 58.7%, which indicated the less soil compaction. The pH ranged from 7.68 to 8.00 while the meanvalues of OM ranged from 3.15 to 5.02%. However, the mean values of total N ranged from 0.18 to0.26%. The mean value of available P ranged from 1.26 to 5.37 mg kg-1, which implies that highdeficiency of available P in the study area. The exchangeable basic cations and CEC values werewithin high to very high ranges in all land use types. Conversion of land use types from one toanother has adverse effects on soil properties, especially overgrazing and cultivation of deforestedland. Therefore, the proper soil and water conservation practice are important in the study area toenhance soil fertility and crop productivity.