Effects of different land use systems on selected soil properties in South Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of different land use systems on soil physical and chemical properties in Sodo Zuria Woreda of Wolaita zone Southern Ethiopia. Differences in soil properties in different land use types at two depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) were observed on many soil properties important to crop growth. Enset (Ensete Ventricosum) fields had higher pH, electrical conductivity (EC), available P and Zn, exchangeable Ca and K which is attributed due to the addition of manure, whereas maize fields had lowest average K and Mg, cation exchange capacity (CEC), percentage of base saturation (PBS), total N and OC. These results suggest that land use has persistent, multi-decadal effects on the spatial heterogeneity of soil resources and also the need of land use and landscape research to determine ecologically sound and sustainable land use and management strategies. Key words: Land use, Enset, grass land, manure, continuous cultivation, soil properties