The CHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS OF TELTELLE DISTRICT, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Soil characterization and classification is vital to know the potential and limitations of the soil resources for agricultural production, and for devising relevant soil management strategies. The study was conducted to characterize and classify soils of Taltale District. Three representative soil pedons were opened on land uses bases and described on genetic horizon basis in the field for their morphological characteristics and analyzed in the laboratory for selected physic -chemical soil properties. Result revealed that all the soil pedons was deep and opened till 200 cm with high clay particles in the depths of the profiles. The result of soil pedons opened in crop land (pedon 1) showed low organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and high exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K and Na) and cation exchange capacity. Based on morphological, physical and chemical properties soils of the study area were classified as Mollic Vertisols for all pedons. Therefore, sound land use planning is required for the soils of study area. Soil under cultivation needs amendment with organic and inorganic fertilizer sources to improve their chemical properties.