INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY

Volume 14, No. 06, Month NOVEMBER, Year 2018, Pages 975 - 988

Soil genesis as influenced by topography of pinkyo area, western ethiopia

Yitbarek, T.

Abstract Download PDF

The influence of topography on soil genesis was investigated. Initially five slope categories (flat, level to nearly level, very gently sloping, gently sloping and sloping) were created using digital elevation model (DEM). Representative pits were opened in the five adjacent slope categories and the soils were described in situ following FAO soil description guideline. Pedon1 was deeped with weak horizon differentiation due to weak pedogenesis and classified as Eutric Fluvisols (Loamic) in WRB system of classification. Pedon 2 and 3 were deeped and classified as Haplic Vertisols (Hypereutric). Pedon 4 and 5 had shallow depth with thin (8-10 cm) surface horizons and coarse fragments in C horizon and classified as Eutric Cambisols. The soil genesis and soil type of the study area was greatly influenced by the topography of the area. This information would help for an appropriate land use planning, especially for land suitability for irrigation, since the study area is situated adjacent to Baro River, which supposed to have high potential for irrigation.

Keywords

Cambisols, Fluvisols, morphology, pedon, slope, Vertisols

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