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| dc.contributor.author | Tessema Admas | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-30T07:44:11Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-30T07:44:11Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-10 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16894 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Characterization and classification of soil is the main central information source for judicious soil management and enhanced agricultural productivity. For an efficient use of thelimited land resources, site-specific soil management recommendations based on sitespecific information are much required. Therefore, this study was conducted to characterize and classify the soils of the Chentale watershed, northwest Ethiopia. Four representative soil pedons were opened at four topographic positions (upper, middle, lower and toe slopes), and each identified genetic horizon was described. A total of 28 soil samples, 16disturbed and 12 undisturbed were collected from the identified genetic horizons of eachpedon. The morphological properties were examined in the field while physical and chemical properties were analysed in the laboratory. Soil textural classes were dominated byclay. The soil pH rated as strongly acidic to neutral (5.5 to 7.01). The SOC content in thesurface soils of the studied area ranged from 1.28% to 2.73% falling within low to medium range. In subsurface horizons, soil organic carbon (SOC) is generally ranged from verylow to low. Surface layers of pedon 1 and 3 had low to medium nitrogen content, whereas pedon 2 and pedon 4 had medium to high range of nitrogen. In the subsurface horizons, nitrogen content was in the ranges of very low to medium. Available P contents of the opened pedons ranged from very low to medium in pedons 1, 2, and 3 except pedon 4 atthe toe slope that ranged as very high, indicating that phosphorus and nitrogen may beamong the critical plant nutrients in the study area, which needs consideration in fertilizerapplication practices. In all pedons, the extractable Cu and Zn contents were in the low range and hence need attention in fertilization practices within the study area. Pedons 1 and 2 were rated as low to medium for exchangeable Ca²⁺ while pedons 3 and 4 were rated as medium range. Exchangeable Mg²⁺ levels were rated medium in surface layers and medium to high in subsoil horizons of the observed profiles. Exchangeable K⁺ was rated from medium to very high in both surface and subsurface layers. Exchangeable Na⁺ levelswere classified as very low to low across the profiles and horizons. The CEC valuesranged from medium to high in Profile 2 and profile 4 while, profiles 1 and 2 were rated as medium. Based on the results four soil types, Rhodic Nitisols (Ochric), Chromic Luvisols(Differentic), Haplic Luvisols (Clayic), and Chromic Luvisols (Cutanic) were identified inthe study area. To maintain the sustainability of soil fertility and nutrient availability, thesoils must be used in accordance with their possible uses. Hence, the characteristics ofsoils identified in the watershed will provide baseline data to design soil management options in the study area. | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.subject | Soil Science | en_US |
| dc.title | Characterization and Classification of Soils of the Chentale Watershed, Northwest Ethiopia | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
