Heluf Gebrekidan

Soil–Plant Nutrient Status and their Relations in Maize-Growing Fields of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT This study investigates the soil–plant nutrient status and relationship in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia. Maize leaves, soil samples and field history were collected. The result indicated that continuous cultivation without fallowing, complete crop residue removal and inadequate fertilization were common practices. The soil was low in organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, boron and copper. Tissue analysis indicated 100, 84, 54 and 28% deficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and copper, respectively. Significant and positive correlations (r = 0.70, 0.40 and 0.50) of soil phosphorus, calcium and copper with tissue content were observed. Soil pH was correlated with tissue phosphorus (r = 0.4), iron (r =—0.3) and manganese (r = −0.7). Overall, the levels of calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese and zinc were adequate for maize. Therefore, fertilizer application addressing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and copper deficiencies is recommended for the study area.

Phosphorus status, inorganic phosphorus forms, and other physicochemical properties of acid soils of Farta District, Northwestern Highlands of Ethiopia

Soil acidity and low availability of P limit crop production in the highlands of Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to determine the P status, distribution and forms of inorganic P and relate them to selected chemical properties of eight representative acidic surface soil samples from Farta District. Soil pH (H2O) varied between 4.74 and 5.50. The moderate to high CEC suggests that besides kaolinite, the soils also contain expandable 2 : 1 clay minerals. Though the total P content was high, the available Olsen P content was very low or low in all soils except one. In most soils, the abundance of inorganic P fractions was as follows: P bound by oxalate extractable iron (-P) reductant soluble Fe-P occluded Al-Fe-P P bound by oxalate extractable aluminum (-P) calcium bound P (Ca-P). Olsen P had a very strong positive correlation () with -P (), -P (), and oxalate extractable P (). Though Fe bound P reserves were quite abundant and the degree of P saturation of

Evaluation of Universal Extractants for Determination of Some Macronutrients from Soil

Evaluation of nutrient status in soil is important for nutritional, environmental, and economical aspects. The objective of this work was to find out the most suitable universal extractant for determination of available phosphorus (P) and nitrate (NO3-) and exchangeable potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) from soils using 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl2), 0.01 M barium chloride (BaCl2), 0.1 M BaCl2, 0.02 M strontium chloride (SrCl2), Mehlich 3, and ammonium bicarbonate diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (AB-DTPA) extractants. Composite surface soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected from the Eastern Harage Zone (Babile and Haramaya Districts), Wolaita Zone (Damot Sore, Boloso Bombe, Damot Pulasa, and Humbo Districts), and Dire Dawa Administrative Council by purposive sampling. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Results indicated that the greatest correlations were found between Mehlich 3 and Olsen method and also between 0.02 M SrCl2 and Olsen method for available P. The amount of NO3– extracted by 0.02 M SrCl2 was significantly correlated to the amount determined by 0.5 M potassium sulfate (K2SO4). The amounts of exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg determined by ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) method were significantly correlated to the amount determined by universal extractants tested. In general, both 0.02 M SrCl2 and Mehlich 3 can serve as universal extractants for the macronutrients considered in this study with the former being more economical when NO3– is included.

Effect of Citrate Concentration on the Extraction Efficiency of Selected Micronutrients from Soil

ABSTRACT This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of citrate concentration on the extraction efficiency of some micronutrients from soil. Composite surface soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected from Eastern Harage Zone (Babile and Haramaya Districts), Wolaita Zone (Damot Sore, Boloso Bombe, Damot Pulasa and Humbo Districts) and Dire Dawa Administrative Council in purposive sampling. The treatments were arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. A greenhouse pot experiment with soybean plant was conducted to determine the correlation between soil test methods and the selected micronutrients, such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in the leaves of the plant. The results showed that, among the different citrate concentrations with strontium chloride (SrCl2) tested for the determination of available Fe, Mn and Zn, the highest correlation coefficients (r = 0.82, p < 0.05), (r = 0.96, p < 0.001) and (r = 0.98, p < 0.001) were found between the diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) method and 0.02 M strontium chloride (SrCl2)-0.025 M citric acid extractant, respectively. Therefore, 0.02 M SrCl2-0.025 M citric acid extractant is considered to be the most effective for the determination of Fe, Mn and Zn in soils of the studied areas. Similarly, high correlation coefficients (r = 0.97, p < 0.001) were found between DTPA and 0.02 M SrCl2-0.05 M citric acid and (r = 0.88, p < 0.01) between DTPA and 0.02 M SrCl2-0.025 M citric acid extractants for the determination of available Cu from soils. Hence, the 0.02 M SrCl2-0.05 M citric acid extractant was shown to be the best for the determination of Cu in soils of the studied areas. However, considering the use of universal extractant, the 0.02 M SrCl2-0.025 M citric acid extractant could easily be adopted as a procedure for the determination of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn for both agricultural and environmental purposes. The greenhouse experiment confirmed the result.