Earth Sciences

| Peer-Reviewed |

Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen Stock Dynamics in the Enset Dominated Farming System of Southwestern Ethiopia

Received: 03 September 2016    Accepted: 21 September 2016    Published: 09 November 2016
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

The study was aimed to investigate soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) dynamics among different land use systems in the Essera district of Dawuro zone, southwestern Ethiopia. Landscape of the district was dominantly covered with enset (Ensete ventricosum) farming system. For this study, three representative land use types namely, Enset farm, woody and cultivated lands were considered. For each land uses, a plot of 25x25m size was marked as a sample plot to collect soil samples in an‘X’ design (from the middle and four corners of the plot). Accordingly, both composite and core sampled soils were gathered from the five subsequent soil depths (i.e.0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20 and 20-25cm). Consequently, analysis of variance was conducted by using SAS version 9.2. Moreover, a mean separation for each parameter was made using LSD (Least Significant Difference) test. The result confirmed that soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks were significantly influenced by topographic variation, land use types and soil depths. The highest SOC and TN stocks were observed in the lower slope position, enset farm land and upper soil depths. Regarding to land use difference, 18.65 and 13.50 t/ha SOC stock were observed in the enset and cultivated farm land respectively. TN was also highest in the enset farm land as compared with cultivated and woody land. In contrast, the lowest soil organic carbon stocks were recorded in the upper slope position of cultivated land and lower soil depths. Both SOC and TN stocks were significantly decreased from the upper soil layers to lower soil depths. Soil physical properties were also significantly influenced by topographic position, land use difference and soil depths. Soil clay contents were highest in the enset and woody land while lowest in the cultivated land. However, soil bulk density, soil silt and sand fractions were highest in the cultivated land. Moreover, soil clay content was significantly increased from upper to lower slope position and vice versa for soil bulk density, soil silt and sand fraction. In conclusion, based on the confirmed result, it deserves to improve soil fertility management under different land use types and slope categories, so that soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and soil clay contents could be improved accordingly.

DOI 10.11648/j.earth.20160506.12
Published in Earth Sciences (Volume 5, Issue 6, December 2016)
Page(s) 96-103
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Soil Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen, Farming System, Land Uses, Soil Depth

References
[1] Abera, G. & Wolde meskel, E., 2013. Soil Properties, and Soil Organic Carbon Stocks of Tropical Andosol under Different Land Uses., 2013 (July), pp.153–162.
[2] Bell, L. W. et al., 2012. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environmen Soil profile carbon and nutrient stocks under long-term conventional and organic crop and alfalfa-crop rotations and re-established grassland. “Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment”, 158, pp. 156–163. Available at:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee. 2012.06.006.
[3] Burke, I. C., 1999. Spatial variability of soil properties in the short grass steppe: the relative importance of topography, grazing, microsite, and plant species in controlling spatial patterns. Ecosystems., 2: 422–438.
[4] Chapman HD, 1965. Cation Exchange Capacity by ammonium saturation. In: C. A. Black(ed.). Methods of Soil Analysis. Agron. Part II, No. 9, Am. Soc. Agron. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. pp.891-901.
[5] CSA (Central Statistical Agency), 2006. Agricultural sample survey of livestock and livestock characteristics. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Statistical Bullet in. 388 (2).
[6] Day, P. R., 1965. Particle size analysis. In: Black CA (ed) Methods of soil analysis. Part1: Physical and mineralogical methods, vol. 9. Am. Soc. Agro. Inc., Madison, WI.545–566
[7] E. Sakin, 2012. Relationships between of Carbon, Nitrogen Stocks and Texture of the Harran Plain Soils in South eastern Turkey. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 18 (No4) 2012, 626-634 Agricultural Academy
[8] Eyasu, E., 2002. Farmers’ Perceptions of Soil Fertility Change and Management. SOS-Sahel and Institute for Sustainable Development, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[9] FAO, 2006. World reference base for soil resources: a framework for international classification, correlation and communication. Rome: FAO. 103p.
[10] Feller, C., M. H. Beare, 1997. Physical control of soil organic matter dynamics in the tropics. Geoderma.,79:69-116.
[11] Pereira, M. G., Valladares, G. S., Anjos, L. H. C. D., Benites, V. D. M., EspíndulaJr, A. and Ebeling, A.G., 2006. Organic carbon determination in histosols and soil horizons with high organic matter content from Brazil. Scientia Agricola, 63(2), pp. 187-193.
[12] Habtamu A., 2014. Fertility Status of Soils under Different Land uses at Wujiraba Watershed, North-Western Highlands of Ethiopia. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 3(5), p.410. Available at:http://www.science publishing group. com/journal/paperinfo.aspx?journalid=119&doi=10.11648/j.aff.20140305.24.
[13] Huang, B. etal., 2007. Temporal and spatial variability of soil organic matter and total nitrogen in an agricultural ecosystem as affected by farming practices.,139, pp. 336–345.
[14] Hurni, H., 1993. Land degradation, famine and land resource scenarios in Ethiopia. In‘ World soil erosion and conservation.’(EdD Pimentel). Press Syndicate, University of Cambridge, Cambridge.
[15] Itanna, F., Olsson, M. and Stahr, K., 2011. Effect of Land Use Changes on Soil Carbon Status of Some Soil Types in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Journal of the Drylands, 4(1), pp.289-299.2.
[16] Lemenih, M., Lemma, B. & Teketay, D., 2005. Changes In Soil Carbon And Total Nitrogen Following Reforestation Of Previously Cultivated Land., 28(2), pp.99–108.
[17] Mathewos, A., 2008. Ethnobotany of Spices, Condiments and Medicinal Plants in Loma and Gena Bosa Woredas of Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in Addis Ababa University in Partial Fulfilment of the Degree of Masters in Biology (Dry land Biodiversity), 120p.
[18] Plante, A. F., R. T. Conant, C. E. Stewart, K. Paustianand J. Six, 2006. Impact of soil texture on the distribution of soil organic matter in physical and chemical fractions. Soil Science Society American Journal, 70(1): 287–296
[19] N. Wakeneand G. Heluf, 2003. Influence of land management on morphological, physical and chemical properties of some soils of Bako,Western Ethiopia. Agropedology.13: 1-9.
[20] Six, J., C. Feller, K. Denef, S. M. Ogle, J. C. Moraes Sa, and A. Albrecht. 2002. Soil organic matter, biota and aggregation in temperate and tropical soils—Effects of no-tillage. Agronomie 22: 755–775.
[21] Soils, E., 1997. Manual of soil analysis methods. RiodeJaneiro.
[22] Taylor, C., Group, F. & Xavier, F. A. S.,2009. Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks under Tropical Organic and Conventional Cropping Systems in North eastern Brazil., (January2008), pp. 2975–2994.
[23] Tedesco, M.J., G.Gianello, C.A.Bissani, H.Bohnen, andS.I. Volkweis.1995. Ana´lisedesolo, plantaseoutrosmateriais, 2nded. Portoalegre: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.
[24] W, Semahugne, 2008., 2008. Land use change sand soil organic carbon and soil nitrogen in the North-western Highlands of Ethiopia. Thesis submitted to Institute of Forest Ecology University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences,V ienna.,(July).
[25] Yeomans, J. C., and J. M. Bremner.1988. A rapid and precise method for routine determination of organic carbon insoil. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 19:1467–1476.
[26] Y. Zhihui, B. R. Singh, and S. Hansen, 2007. Aggregate associated carbon, nitrogen and sulfur and their ratios in long-term fertilized soils. Soil and Tillage Research. 95: 161-171.
Author Information
  • Department of Natural Resources Management, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

  • Department of General Forestry, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Mizan Tepi University, Mizan Tepi, Ethiopia

  • Water Resource Research Center, Arbaminch University, Arbaminch, Ethiopia

Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Bahilu Bezabih, Biniam Tesfaye, Asrat Fikre. (2016). Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen Stock Dynamics in the Enset Dominated Farming System of Southwestern Ethiopia. Earth Sciences, 5(6), 96-103. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20160506.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Bahilu Bezabih; Biniam Tesfaye; Asrat Fikre. Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen Stock Dynamics in the Enset Dominated Farming System of Southwestern Ethiopia. Earth Sci. 2016, 5(6), 96-103. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20160506.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Bahilu Bezabih, Biniam Tesfaye, Asrat Fikre. Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen Stock Dynamics in the Enset Dominated Farming System of Southwestern Ethiopia. Earth Sci. 2016;5(6):96-103. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20160506.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.earth.20160506.12,
      author = {Bahilu Bezabih and Biniam Tesfaye and Asrat Fikre},
      title = {Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen Stock Dynamics in the Enset Dominated Farming System of Southwestern Ethiopia},
      journal = {Earth Sciences},
      volume = {5},
      number = {6},
      pages = {96-103},
      doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20160506.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20160506.12},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20160506.12},
      abstract = {The study was aimed to investigate soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) dynamics among different land use systems in the Essera district of Dawuro zone, southwestern Ethiopia. Landscape of the district was dominantly covered with enset (Ensete ventricosum) farming system. For this study, three representative land use types namely, Enset farm, woody and cultivated lands were considered. For each land uses, a plot of 25x25m size was marked as a sample plot to collect soil samples in an‘X’ design (from the middle and four corners of the plot). Accordingly, both composite and core sampled soils were gathered from the five subsequent soil depths (i.e.0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20 and 20-25cm). Consequently, analysis of variance was conducted by using SAS version 9.2. Moreover, a mean separation for each parameter was made using LSD (Least Significant Difference) test. The result confirmed that soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks were significantly influenced by topographic variation, land use types and soil depths. The highest SOC and TN stocks were observed in the lower slope position, enset farm land and upper soil depths. Regarding to land use difference, 18.65 and 13.50 t/ha SOC stock were observed in the enset and cultivated farm land respectively. TN was also highest in the enset farm land as compared with cultivated and woody land. In contrast, the lowest soil organic carbon stocks were recorded in the upper slope position of cultivated land and lower soil depths. Both SOC and TN stocks were significantly decreased from the upper soil layers to lower soil depths. Soil physical properties were also significantly influenced by topographic position, land use difference and soil depths. Soil clay contents were highest in the enset and woody land while lowest in the cultivated land. However, soil bulk density, soil silt and sand fractions were highest in the cultivated land. Moreover, soil clay content was significantly increased from upper to lower slope position and vice versa for soil bulk density, soil silt and sand fraction. In conclusion, based on the confirmed result, it deserves to improve soil fertility management under different land use types and slope categories, so that soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and soil clay contents could be improved accordingly.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen Stock Dynamics in the Enset Dominated Farming System of Southwestern Ethiopia
    AU  - Bahilu Bezabih
    AU  - Biniam Tesfaye
    AU  - Asrat Fikre
    Y1  - 2016/11/09
    PY  - 2016
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20160506.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.earth.20160506.12
    T2  - Earth Sciences
    JF  - Earth Sciences
    JO  - Earth Sciences
    SP  - 96
    EP  - 103
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-5982
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20160506.12
    AB  - The study was aimed to investigate soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) dynamics among different land use systems in the Essera district of Dawuro zone, southwestern Ethiopia. Landscape of the district was dominantly covered with enset (Ensete ventricosum) farming system. For this study, three representative land use types namely, Enset farm, woody and cultivated lands were considered. For each land uses, a plot of 25x25m size was marked as a sample plot to collect soil samples in an‘X’ design (from the middle and four corners of the plot). Accordingly, both composite and core sampled soils were gathered from the five subsequent soil depths (i.e.0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20 and 20-25cm). Consequently, analysis of variance was conducted by using SAS version 9.2. Moreover, a mean separation for each parameter was made using LSD (Least Significant Difference) test. The result confirmed that soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks were significantly influenced by topographic variation, land use types and soil depths. The highest SOC and TN stocks were observed in the lower slope position, enset farm land and upper soil depths. Regarding to land use difference, 18.65 and 13.50 t/ha SOC stock were observed in the enset and cultivated farm land respectively. TN was also highest in the enset farm land as compared with cultivated and woody land. In contrast, the lowest soil organic carbon stocks were recorded in the upper slope position of cultivated land and lower soil depths. Both SOC and TN stocks were significantly decreased from the upper soil layers to lower soil depths. Soil physical properties were also significantly influenced by topographic position, land use difference and soil depths. Soil clay contents were highest in the enset and woody land while lowest in the cultivated land. However, soil bulk density, soil silt and sand fractions were highest in the cultivated land. Moreover, soil clay content was significantly increased from upper to lower slope position and vice versa for soil bulk density, soil silt and sand fraction. In conclusion, based on the confirmed result, it deserves to improve soil fertility management under different land use types and slope categories, so that soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and soil clay contents could be improved accordingly.
    VL  - 5
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

  • Sections