Soil Nutrient Stock Evaluation under Different Land Use Types in the Smallholder Farming Systems of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

Research Article

Soil Nutrient Stock Evaluation under Different Land Use Types in the Smallholder Farming Systems of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

The threats of soil nutrient depletion and food insecurity due to unsustainable farming practices are the problems for most of developing countries including of Ethiopia. This investigation was conducted to determine the status of soil nutrient stock under different land use types in the smallholder farmers and to evaluate the relationship between N, P and K stocks, different soil parameters and land use types. Soil samples were collected from each land use types and tested in laboratory for bulk density, % sand, % silt, % clay, total N, total P and total K. Soil N, P and K stocks for the land use types were calculated through multiplying the concentration of N, P and K with their respective bulk density and sampling depth. Mean comparisons were carried out to soil bulk density, % sand, % silt, % clay, total N, total P and total K. One way ANOVA was used to determine N, P and K stocks significant difference (p = 0.05) under different land use types. Also, 2-tiled Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between soil nutrient stocks, soil parameters and land use types. Accordingly, the mean values of soil physico-chemical properties were varied among land use types but none significant difference (p<0.05) was observed for N, P and K stock. Because, soil nutrient management practices applied to each land use types are not adequate to improve soil nutrient stocks and compensate losses. There was a positive correlation between some soil physico-chemical properties, nutrient stocks and land use types. Therefore, to improve soil nutrient stocks and availability of nutrients for plants in order to achieve food security intensive soil nutrient management practice across land use types are compulsory.

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Abebayehu Aticho and Eyasu Elias, 2011. Soil Nutrient Stock Evaluation under Different Land Use Types in the Smallholder Farming Systems of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 6: 707-713.

DOI: 10.3923/ijar.2011.707.713

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijar.2011.707.713

International Journal of Agricultural Research

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Authors

Abebayehu Aticho

Eyasu Elias

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Research Article

Soil Nutrient Stock Evaluation under Different Land Use Types in the Smallholder Farming Systems of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

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