STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Research & Reviews : Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

The State of Eucalyptus and Enset-Coffee Based Homegarden Agroforestry Land Use and Their Effect on Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Shamena Hurufa, Hawassa Zuria Woreda, Sidama, Ethiopia

  1. Habitamu Bekele Moloro
  2. Ambachew Demessie Wale

Abstract

This study was carried out in Shamena Sefera, Shamena Hurufa, Qejima Umbullo and Xenkaka Umbullo kebeles on Eucalyptus woodlots, Enset-coffee based and mono-cropping land uses types 1) to assess the current state of Eucalyptus planting 2) to assess the effect of soil physical properties that include bulk density and soil texture 3) to evaluate the effect of soil chemical properties that include: pH, CEC, Av.P, and OC. 67 respondents were purposively selected from each Kebele and the data on the trends of Eucalyptus planting was collected through HH survey. Soil samples were taken in three replicates at 0-10 and 10-20cm depth for the analysis of soil texture, pH, CEC, Av.P and OC. Separate core samples were taken from the same sampling spots for BD analysis. The data shows Eucalyptus is increased in the area from 1984’s to 2014’s. The data on textural classes shows no difference at (p<0.05) among land use types and is found to be loamy sand. The data on OC shows no difference at (p<0.05) among land use types. The data on pH (6.28, 6.87 and 7.14) shows significant difference at 0-10cm and no difference on pH at 10-20cm among land use types at (p<0.05). The data on CEC shows significant difference at (p<0.05) among land use types. The data on Av.P shows no difference at 0-10cm and shows significant difference on Av.P (17.27, 22.8 and 11.26 ppm) at 10-20cm soil depth among land use at (p<0.05) respectively. The study confirmed that the state of Eucalyptus planting is increasing from 1984’s to 2014’s. All the analyzed parameters among land found to be better and acceptable. However, the soil organic carbon is found to be better and higher under Eucalyptus woodlot than other land use types and it suggests that the species expansion can meaningfully be considered as an effective strategy for climate change mitigation. But more research should be done in the studied area to obtain dependable data on the environmental effect of Eucalyptus before to safely recommend its expansion.

Keywords

Support