Abstract

Alem Hagos Hailu , Kibebew Kibret and Heluf Gebrekidan

A study was undertaken in Kabe subwatershed of Amhara region, Ethiopia, to investigate the site, morphological and selected physico-chemical characteristics, and classification of soils. Four soil pedons at representative sites were duly described and soil samples from identifiable horizons were taken for laboratory analysis. The data obtained showed that the soils varied from shallow to very deep, poorly to well drained, very dark gray to yellowish brown in color (dry), weak fine granular to strong coarse angular blocky structure and loose to firm (moist) consistence. The values of the determined soil physical characteristics revealed that sand, silt, clay, bulk density, particle density, total porosity, field capacity, permanent wilting point and available water content ranged from 30 to 68%, 11 to 28%, 16 to 49%, 1.03 to 1.53 g cm-3 , 2.52 to 2.91 g cm-3 , 46.13 to 59.45%, 20.90 to 41.98%, 10.53 to 26.81% and 103.70 to 200.10 mm m -1 . Moreover, the soils were slightly acidic throughout (pH 6.11 to 6.45), very low to low in OM (0.27 to 2.08%) and total N (0.01 to 0.09%), low to very high av. P (2.35 to 42.49%), high in exchangeable Ca (10.54 to 19.77 cmol(+) kg-1 ) and Mg (3.96 to 8.04 cmol(+) kg-1 ), medium in monovalent cations (Na and K), medium to very high CEC (23.40 to 40.80% cmol(+) kg-1 ) and PBS (59.30 to 83.20%). In addition, high status of micronutrients was obtained. Following the survey and soil analytical results, four main reference soil groups were identified in the study area and classified according to FAO/WRB (2006) as Haplic Leptosols (pedon 1), Leptic Cambisols (pedon 2), Vertic Luvisols (pedon 3) and Stagnic Vertisols (pedon 4), respectively. Restoration and increasing of OM and nitrogen content of the soils, implementation and maintenance of soil and water conservation practices, successful introduction and adoption of agricultural technologies on a sustained basis can tackle the investigated problems and thereby increase production and productivity of the soils of the study area.