Abdissa Bekele

This study investigates the effects of land use type and soil depth on soil hydraulic properties at the Arjo‐Dhidhessa Estate Sugar Factory, Western Ethiopia. Soil samples (15 composites) were collected from five land use types (fallow land, cropland, irrigated land, forest land, and shrub land) across three soil depths (0–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm). Field infiltration rates were measured using a double ring infiltrometer. The study demonstrates significant variation in soil hydraulic properties that forestlands showed higher performance, with the highest field capacity (51.46%), an available water‐holding capacity (21.23%), and a soil moisture content (23.74%). Conversely, irrigated land indicated the lowest infiltration rates (19.6 cm/h) and sorptivity (75.3 cm/h), likely linked to soil compaction and nutrient depletion. Soil hydraulic properties also varied with depth, showing reduced water retention and infiltration in deeper layers (60–90 cm). These results underscore the importance of diverse land management strategies for optimizing soil health and water resource management. Integrating forest and shrubland practices can enhance organic content and improve soil composition. Further, implementing management techniques such as conservation tillage and replanting can mitigate soil loss and compaction, promoting sustainable agricultural production. This study demonstrates the critical role of land use in shaping soil hydraulic properties. The findings advocate for land management practices that prioritize soil health and water retention, particularly through the integration of forest and shrubland elements. By adopting these strategies, policymakers and land managers can foster long‐term agricultural sustainability in the face of ongoing land transformation.

Sugarcane plantations in sugar factories and farms have the potential to significantly influence local ecosystems and communities, leading to deforestation, degradation of soil quality, and reduced availability of water resources. This study aimed to determine the effect of the Arjo‐Dhidhessa sugar factory on land use and land cover change in the east Wallaga zone of the Oromia regional state. This study employed geospatial technology to investigate spatial and temporal changes in land use and land cover in the study area. Satellite images from 1983, 1996, 2009, and 2022 were used to evaluate changes in land use and land cover in the area. The study area underwent significant transformations in land use and land cover, including a 0.6% decrease in the total forested area, a 25.9% reduction in shrubland, and a 22.3% decrease in grassland coverage. Although agricultural land showed a significant increase of 21.34%, irrigated land increased by 14.8%, and built‐up areas expanded by 12.2%. The average annual growth rates for agricultural land, irrigated land, and built‐up areas were 217.4, 289.5, and 165.4 ha/year, respectively. The emergence of sugar factories and sugarcane farming was initiated at the expense of forestland, grassland, and shrubland. These changes have raised concerns about the potential ecological consequences and long‐term sustainability of the environment. The observed trends underscore the urgent need to address the environmental challenges faced by Arjo‐Dhidhessa Sugar Factory, which requires a collective and coordinated response from all relevant stakeholders to mitigate the negative impacts of decreasing natural habitats. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing sustainable land management practices that balance developmental initiatives with environmental conservation.

This research was conducted to characterize and classify the major soil types of Yaballa sub-watershed. A total of 12 disturbed and 12 undisturbed soil samples were collected from three representative profiles. In all profiles the soil consistence of surface horizons varied from hard to soft, friable to very friable and slightly sticky to very sticky. The lower bulk densities (1.01 gcm^− 3) at foot slope while the higher (1.09 gcm^− 3) at back slope and summit was recorded. The surface pH ranged from 4.65 at back slope to 5.20 under summit. The low (0.26 and 1.85 cmol_ckg⁻¹) exchangeable acidity at the surface horizons under summit and foot slope, respectively. The organic matter in the topsoil varied from 3.70% at foot slope to 5.23% at high altitude of summit. The highest (17.02 cmol_ckg⁻¹) subsurface of exchangeable base was recorded under foot slope. The smallest value (6.07 cmol_ckg⁻¹) was recorded under back slope. In the surface horizons, cation exchange capacity varied from 25.70 to 36.41cmol_ckg^− 1 under back and foot slope, respectively. The base saturation at surface ranged from 26.09–40.67%. Therefore, this study identified Luvic Nitisol for the foot slope, Haplic Acrisol for the back slope and Haplic Cambisol for the summit. Thus, soil characterization and classification of an area is the main information generated for land resource management as well as evaluation of land suitability for specific agricultural uses. However, to provide the more actual evidence, this type research should be further conducted at different areas of the district.

Soil acidity is one of the major factors limiting soil fertility and crop production in large areas of Ethiopia. A two-month incubation experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of lime, vermicompost (VC), and chemical phosphorus (P) fertilizer on selected chemical properties of Dystric Nitisols in Ebantu District, Western Ethiopia. The treatments comprised of three rates of lime (2, 4, and 6 tons CaCO₃·ha⁻¹), VC (2.5, 5, and 7.5 tons·ha⁻¹), and mineral P fertilizer (20, 40, and 60 kg·P·ha⁻¹) each applied alone and in various combinations. The experiment was laid down in a completely randomized design with two replications. The results showed that the highest increment of pH from 4.83 at the control to 6.05 and reduction of exchangeable Al from 1.70 to 0.09 cmol_c·kg⁻¹were obtained from combined application of lime at 4 tons CaCO₃·ha⁻¹and VC at 7.5 tons·ha⁻¹. The most significant decrease in exchangeable acidity (0.17 cmol_c.kg^-1) was observed in soil that was treated with 6 tons CaCO₃·ha⁻¹lime applied alone (93%) and combined application of lime at 4 tons CaCO₃·ha⁻¹with VC at 7.5 tons·ha⁻¹by (81%). The highest contents of OM (4.1%) and total nitrogen (0.29%) were obtained from combined application of lime at 4 tons CaCO₃·ha⁻¹and VC at 7.5 tons·ha⁻¹. Integrated application of chemical P (60 kg·P·ha⁻¹) with lime (2 tons·ha⁻¹) plus VC (7.5 tons·ha⁻¹) resulted in Bray-II P increased by 45% relative to control. The various combinations of the treatments also improved exchangeable Ca²⁺and Mg²⁺. The results indicate that integrated use of lime, vermicompost, and chemical P fertilizer can improve soil acidity and availability of nutrients. However, the real potential of the amendments used in this experiment should be further assessed under field conditions using a test crop.