Characterization and classification of soils of Yikalo Subwatershed in Lay Gayint District, Northwestern Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil resource information is vital for sound land use planning and sustainable fertilitymanagement. This study was carried out with the objective of characterizing andclassifying soils of Yikalo Subwatershed at Lay Gayint district, Northwestern Ethiopia.Representative soil pedons were opened along topographic positions and described ongenetic horizon basis in the field for their morphological characteristics and analyzed inthe laboratory for selected physical and chemical soil properties. The soils were classifiedfollowing the FAO (2014). The results revealed the presence of variations in the selectedmorphological properties within a pedon and along the topographic positions. Soilsdiffered in reaction from 4.57 to 6.42. On the surface horizons of the soil pedons, availableP content varied from 0.21 to 3.25 mg kg-1, while exchangeable acidity ranged from 0.17 to3.65 cmolc kg-1 soil. There was no consistent trend for cation exchange capacity (CEC) andPBS (percent base saturation) with soil depth and topographic positions. The soils inYikalo Subwatershed were classified as Hyperdystric Cambisols (Humic), Haplic Alisols(Humic), Cambic Umbrisols (Colluvic), Haplic Luvisols (Epidystric), and Pellic Vertisols(Mesotrophic). Optimum rates of organic and inorganic amendments should be applied toreduce the level of soil acidity, and improve the fertility level of the soils for better cropproduction and productivity.