Soil Morphology, Physico - Chemical Properties and Classification of Typical Soils of Mwala District, Kenya
Anne N. Karuma, Charles K. K. Gachene, Balthazar M. Msanya, Peter W. Mtakwa, Nyambilila Amuri, Patrick T. Gicheru
International Journal of Plant & Soil Science · pp. 156–170 · Published 6 Oct 2014
10.9734/IJPSS/2015/13467Abstract
A soil profile representative of typical soils of Mwala District, Kenya, was dug to study its morphology, soil physico-chemical characteristics and to classify it using two internationally known soil classification systems. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken from designated pedogenic horizons for physical and chemical analysis in the laboratory. Soil morphological observations revealed that the pedon is well drained and very deep with dark brown to dark yellowish brown topsoil overlying brown to strong brown sandy clay loam to sandy clay subsoil. Clay eluviations - illuviation is a dominant process influencing soil formation in the study area as indicated by the clay gradient between the eluvial and illuvial horizons and the presence of clay cutans in the subsoil. The soil is characterized by weak fine subangular blocky throughout its pedon depth. Laboratory analysis indicates that the soil is very strongly acid (pH 4.6–5.0) throughout the profile, has very low N (<0.1%) and low OC (0.6-1.25%). The pedon has low CEC (6.0-12.0 cmol (+) kg-1) and low base saturation (<50%). Available P is rated as high (>20mg kg-1) in the topsoil while it is low (7-20mg kg-1) in the major part of the subsoil. Using field and laboratory analytical data, the representative pedon was classified to the subgroup level of the USDA Soil Taxonomy as Typic Haplustults and to Tier-2 of WRB as Haplic Cutanic Acrisols (Humic, Hyperdystric, Endosiltic). The general fertility of the soils of the area is discussed highlighting their potentials and constraints.
Cited by 9
Clea Anne Corsiga, Rodrigo Badayos, Pearl Sanchez · Annals of Tropical Research · 2018
Said H. Marzouk, Hamis J. Tindwa, Boniface H. J. Massawe · Frontiers in Soil Science · 2023
Baocai Su, Rui Liu, Zhenzong Lu · Agronomy · 2024
Martin Paul Ndeto, David Wafula Wekesa, Francis Njoka · Renewable Energy · 2023
Rufaidah Qonita Muslim, Pronika Kricella, Mira Media Pratamaningsih · SAINS TANAH - Journal of Soil Science and Agroclimatology · 2020
Anne Nyambura Karuma, Joyce Wambui Njuguna, Patrick Thuku Gicheru · Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems · 2021
Owais Bashir, Shabir Ahmad Bangroo, Nasir Bashir Naikoo · International Journal of Plant & Soil Science · 2022
Peterson Newton Njeru, Jayne Mugwe, Monicah Mucheru-Muna · Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems · 2024
Patrick Kirita Gevera, Mark Cave, Kim Dowling · Practical Applications of Medical Geology · 2021
Related research
- Earthworms Impact in Sustainable Management of Intensively Managed Agro Ecosystems: Indian Scenario — shares topic coverage
- Bulk Density of Soils from Oil Palm Agroforestry Systems in Kogi East, Nigeria — shares topic coverage
- The Effect of Soil Physical Properties and Soil Microclimate on Rodent Burrows’ Abundance and their Characteristics in Western Usambara Mountains, Tanzania — shares topic coverage
- Stability of Aggregates and the Processes that Help in Their Formation and Stabilization — shares topic coverage
- Geostatistical Evaluation of Spatial Variability of Selected Soil Physical Properties under Different Crops in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria — shares topic coverage
Article metrics
Real usage data collected on this platform.
0
Page views
0
PDF downloads
0
Outbound clicks
9
Citations
Views by country
Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".
No views recorded yet.
Traffic sources
Referring site, by host.
No traffic recorded yet.
Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.