Impacts of Land Use on Selected Physicochemical Properties of Soils of Abobo Area, Western Ethiopia
Teshome Yitbarek,
Heluf Gebrekidan,
Kibebew Kibret,
Shelem Beyene
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
177-183
Received:
26 July 2013
Published:
10 September 2013
Abstract: Assessing land use-induced changes in soil properties are essential for addressing issues of agro-ecosystem transformation and sustainable land productivity. In view of this, a study was conducted to assess the impact of land use/land cover on the physicochemical properties of soils of Abobo area, western Ethiopia. Three adjacent land use types, namely forest, grazing and cultivated lands each falling under four land mapping units (1Ac, 1Bc, 2Cc and 3Cl) were considered for the study. A total of 40 random soil samples (0-20 cm depth) were collected to make three composite samples for each land use type across the land mapping units and analyzed for selected soil physical and chemical properties. The results of the study, on one hand, revealed that soil OM, total N, CEC, PBS and available micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) contents of the cultivated land was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than the adjacent forest land. For instance, soil OM, total N, CEC, PBS, exchangeable Mg and available micronutrients (Mn, Zn and Cu) contents of cultivated land was significantly lower than the adjacent forest land by 32.98, 33.33, 16.16, 17.81, 21.88, 29.47, 40.05 and 53.92%, respectively. On the other hand, the results of the study revealed that exchangeable cations (Mg, K and Na), PBS and available micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) contents of the gazing land was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than the adjacent forest land. However, significant differences were not observed between the forests and grazing lands in soil OM, total N, CEC and available P. From the present study, it could be concluded that the soil quality and health were maintained relatively under the forest, whereas the influence on most parameters were negative on the soils of the cultivated land, indicating the need for employing integrated soil fertility management in sustainable manner to optimize and maintain the favorable soil physicochemical properties.
Abstract: Assessing land use-induced changes in soil properties are essential for addressing issues of agro-ecosystem transformation and sustainable land productivity. In view of this, a study was conducted to assess the impact of land use/land cover on the physicochemical properties of soils of Abobo area, western Ethiopia. Three adjacent land use types, na...
Show More
Characterization of Soil Nutrient Management and Post-harvest Handling Practices for Onion Production in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia
Negasi Tekeste A.,
Nigussie Dechassa R.,
Kebede Woldetsadik,
Lemma Dessalegne,
Abuhay Takele
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
184-195
Received:
21 June 2013
Published:
20 September 2013
Abstract: Onion is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia. A survey was conducted during the off-season of 2011 to document nutrient management and post-harvest handling practices in onion production in four districts (Adama, Merti, Dugda Bora and Adamitulu-Jiddokombolcha) in the region. Data were collected from 128 farmers using a standard questionnaire and focus group discussions. The results revealed that all of the sampled smallholder onion growing farmers used Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea whilst only 10.9% and 5.5% used farmyard manure (FYM) and compost, respectively. The growers on average used 298.8 kg ha-1 Urea and 299.21 kg DAP ha-1. Only small amounts of farmyard manure (1.71 t ha-1) and compost (1.56 t ha-1) were applied by the onion growers. The data also showed that farmers did not practise curing and storing of onion bulbs, and sold the produce on the field during harvest at farm-gate prices. In conclusion, the results of the study revealed that farmers in the region produce onions with application of higher rates of inorganic mineral NP fertilizers than the rates commonly recommended by the research system. The results also showed that the farmers did not subject harvested onion bulbs to any post-harvest management practices for enhancing shelf-life and marketability of the crop.
Abstract: Onion is an important cash crop for smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia. A survey was conducted during the off-season of 2011 to document nutrient management and post-harvest handling practices in onion production in four districts (Adama, Merti, Dugda Bora and Adamitulu-Jiddokombolcha) in the region. Data were collect...
Show More
Evaluation of Eucalyptus tereticornis, Tagetes minuta and Carica papaya as Stored Maize Grain Protectants against Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Simbarashe Muzemu,
James Chitamba,
Benny Mutetwa
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 5, October 2013
Pages:
196-201
Received:
27 August 2013
Published:
30 September 2013
Abstract: Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) is an important storage pest of maize grain in several parts of Africa including Zimbabwe. Although synthetic pesticides are effective at controlling the pest, environmental and health hazards of these chemicals are of increasing concern. The study assessed efficacy of botanical leaf powders of Eucalyptus tereticornis, Tagetes minuta and Carica papaya in controlling S. zeamais using rates of 5 g, 10 g and 20 g per 200 g of open pollinated maize grain (variety ZM421). The trial was laid in a completely randomised design (CRD), with 12 treatments replicated three times. The grain was put in a freezer at -4oC for a fortnight, before the botanicals were added, to kill any prior sources of weevil inoculum and eggs which might be already pre-existing in the grain. 200 g maize grain was infested with 200 three week old unsexed pure culture weevils in 750 ml jars. After 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 days, weevils were sieved and their mortality determined. Percentage grain weight loss was assessed after 35 days post pests introduction. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in number of weevil mortality and grain weight loss among treatments and their application rates. The findings showed that conventional chemical control was most effective than all botanicals used. E. tereticornis was the most effective of all the botanical pesticides at an application rate of 20 g as evidenced by high weevil mortality and less grain weight loss. It was concluded that botanicals have storage pesticidal properties to suppress S. zeamais in maize grain and could be used as an alternative control option to synthetic pesticides.
Abstract: Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) is an important storage pest of maize grain in several parts of Africa including Zimbabwe. Although synthetic pesticides are effective at controlling the pest, environmental and health hazards of these chemicals are of increasing concern. The study assessed efficacy of botanical leaf powders of Eucalyptus tereticornis, ...
Show More
