Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status of Migna Kura Kebele, Wayu Tuka District, East Wollega, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil fertility decline is a significant obstacle to Ethiopia's increased food production, but information on current soil fertility status among the study areas is inadequate. Accurate soil fertility data is crucial for implementing effective strategies and developing targeted interventions to improve agricultural productivity and food security in Ethiopia. This study was initiated in this context with the aim of mapping the spatial distribution of specific soil parameters and assessing the status of soil fertility in Migna Kura Kebele, Wayu Tuka District, East Wollega, Ethiopia, providing crucial information for agrarian development. A total of 32 samples of surface soil were drawn at Stratifying random for laboratory analysis in 2019 G.C. Maps of soil fertility status were created using ArcGIS 10.4.1 and the common Kriging interpolation technique.  Clay loam and clay are the two types of soil in the research study area. The bulk density of the soil ranged from 1.13 to 1.46 g/cm3, while the total porosity ranged from 42.57 to 55.15%. The pH of the soil can range from 6.7, which is slightly acidic, to 4.91, which is strongly acidic. The range of soil exchangeable acidity levels was 0 to 2.46 cmol (+) kg-1, while the range of OC values was medium (1.79% to 3.51%). Soil total N and available P values were between very low and low (0.19 to 1.11%) and 6.71 to 13.44 mg kg-1, respectively. Exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na levels in the soil ranged from 6.93 to 51.15, 2.85 to 23.63, 0.21 to 1.76, and 0.05 to 0.71 cmol (+) kg-1, respectively, while a medium to very high degree of CEC (22.19 to 77.42 cmol (+) kg-1) was observed. A moderate to very high rating was assigned to soil PBS, which ranged from 42.13 to 98.30%. Micro nutrients; Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn extractable from soil by DTPA ranged in value from 12.07 to 33.51 mg kg-1, 16.02 to 48.26 mg kg-1, 0.18 to 0.62 mg kg-1, and 0.19 to 0.62 mg kg-1, respectively. The soil fertility map was created for the following parameters: pH, OC, total N, available (P, S), CEC, PBS, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn; Cu, Zn, and B. According to the study's findings, the study area's soils were found to be deficient in six nutrients that limit yields: N, P, K, S, B, and Zn. he soil in the study area is affected by soil acidity; for sustainable crop production in the study area, soils should be amended with lime, organic matter, and fertilizers of N, P, S, K, B, and Zn.