Soil Classification for Sustainable Water Management in Tikurwuha Watershed, Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted during the 2016/17 in Tikurwuha watershed, Blue Nile, Ethiopia to classify soils using FAO/WRB criteria for sustainable water management. Four soil profiles of Awuzet (AP) at eucalyptus plantation, cultivated and grazing lands were described In-situ using FAO/WRB guideline. Soil samples were collected from pedogenic horizons and they were analyzed for soil color, texture, bulk density (BD), pH and organic carbon (OC). FAO/WRB soil classification legend was used to classify the soils. Surface soil color was 7.5YR4/2 (yellowish red) for AP0-1 and AP0-2 and 7.5YR5/1 for AP0-3. All profiles, except AP0-3 were clay in texture. Highest OC (4.19%) was registered at the subsurface of AP0-3. Bulk densities of AP0-1, AP0-2 and AP0-3 ranged from 0.98 to 1.37, 0.98 to 1.53 and 98 to 1.23 g cm-3, respectively. All soil profiles were characterized by their acidic nature. Generally AP0-1, AP0-2 and AP0-3 were identified as Luvisols, Vertisols and Cambisols at intensively cultivated land, grazing land and plantation, respectively. This soil classification map, therefor, can facilitate soil and water conservation planning and, thus, it can point to sustainable utilization of water management in the region and other parts of the country with similar agro-ecology.