Status of Selected Properties of Soils under Crop-Livestock Farming System in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Information on soil properties and fertility status of soils at farm levels under particular farming system is essential for boosting farm productivity and for sufficient food production. This study was conducted to investigate status and properties of soils under crop-livestock farming system, where crop grains are produced for food security and residues for animal feed and domestic fuel consumption. For the study, two farms under similar farming system were selected from two districts in eastern part of Ethiopia: Adele farm from Haramaya and Bala Langey farm from Kersa districts. Soil samples were collected from crop fields of each farm and analyzed following standard methods for soil physical and chemical analyses. The results indicate that soil textural class is sandy clay loam at both farms. The mean bulk density values were 1.43 and 1.39g cm-3 for Adele and Bala Langey farms, respectively. The soil reaction for Adele farm was neutral (pH=7.23) whereas soils of Bala Langey farm had slightly acidic reaction (pH=6.57). Organic carbon contents of soils of both farms were low, less than 1.5%. Nitrogen was low for Adele farm soils (<0.15%) and in the moderate range for Bala Langey farm soils (0.15-0.25%). Available soil P was very low at both farms (<10mgkg-1). Extractable soil sulfur was also low for both farms (<5 mgkg1). CEC of the soils of Adele farm was very high (>50Cmol (+)kg-1 ) and it was high (>40 Cmol(+)kg-1) for Bala Langey farm soils. Exchangeable base contents and EDTA extractable micronutrients were in the sufficiency ranges for soils of both farms. This study indicated that very low available phosphorus, low organic carbon and nitrogen followed by sulfur are the most productivity limiting factors associated with soil fertility as a result of crop residues removal for animal feed and domestic fuel consumption. Intervention management should focus on the enhancement of organic carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen and sulfur.