Characterization of Agricultural Soils in CASCAPE Intervention Woredas in Western Oromia Region By Alemayehu Regassa (PhD) Final Report December, 2015 Table of Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 8 1.1. Objective of the study .......................................................................................................... 9 1.2. Specific Objectives ................................................................................................................. 9 1.3. Scope of the study ................................................................................................................. 9 2. Materials and Methods ........................................................................................................... 10 2.1. The pre-fieldwork preparation phase ........................................................................... 11 2.2. The fieldwork phase ............................................................................................................ 12 2.3. Reconnaissance ..................................................................................................................... 12 2.4. Detailed profile description ............................................................................................... 12 2.5. Laboratory analysis ............................................................................................................. 13 2.6. Data Processing .................................................................................................................... 13 3. Results .......................................................................................................................................... 14 3.1. Description of the environmental settings of the studied woredas .............. 14 3.1.1. Omo Nada Woreda ................................................................................................... 14 3.1.2. Limu saka .................................................................................................................... 15 3.1.3. Gera Woreda .............................................................................................................. 15 3.1.4. Didessa Woreda ........................................................................................................ 17 3.1.5. Bedele zuria woreda ................................................................................................ 17 3.2. Results of Preparation and Review of Existing Information ............................. 18 3.3. Results of Field Work and Data processing ............................................................ 33 3.4. Soils of CASCAPE intervention Kebeles in Omo Nada Woreda ....................... 33 3.4.1. Geomorphology and Geology .............................................................................. 33 3.4.2. The soil- landscape .................................................................................................. 40 3.4.3. Soil profile descriptions with analytical data ................................................. 44 3.4.4. Synthesis ..................................................................................................................... 58 3.5. Soils of CASCAPE intervention Kebeles in Limu Saka woreda ........................ 61 3.5.1. Geomorphology and Geology .............................................................................. 61 3.5.2. The soil- landscape .................................................................................................. 65 3.5.3. Soil profile descriptions with analytical data ................................................. 69 2 3.5.4. Synthesis ..................................................................................................................... 79 3.6. Soils of CASCAPE intervention Kebeles in Gera woreda ................................... 81 3.6.1. Geology and geomorphology ............................................................................... 81 3.6.2. The soil- landscape .................................................................................................. 84 3.6.3. Synthesis ................................................................................................................... 100 3.7. Soils of CASCAPE intervention Kebeles in Didessa woreda ........................... 102 3.7.1. Geology and geomorphology ............................................................................. 102 3.7.2. The soil- landscape ................................................................................................ 105 3.7.3. Synthesis ................................................................................................................... 117 3.8. Soils of CASCAPE intervention Kebeles in Bedele Zuria woreda .................. 119 3.8.1. Geology and Geomorphology ............................................................................ 119 3.8.2. The soil- landscape ................................................................................................ 121 3.8.3. Synthesis ................................................................................................................... 136 4. Conclusion and recommendation ..................................................................................... 138 5. References ................................................................................................................................ 140 6. Annex .......................................................................................................................................... 143 Annex 1. Auger Observation points of CASCAPE intervention woredas in West Oromia region .................................................................................................................................. 143 Annex 2. Studied soil profiles in CASCAPE intervention Woredas of West Oromia region .................................................................................................................................................. 148 Annex 3. Slope map of the CASCAPE intervention woredas in West Oromia region .............................................................................................................................................................. 149 Annex 4. Elevation map of the CASCAPE intervention woredas in West Oromia region .................................................................................................................................................. 153 3 List of Tables Table 1. Total area and percentage coverage of different landforms for kebeles in CASCAPE intervention woredas ...................................................................... 20 Table 2: Slope classes in CASCAPE intervention woredas of west oromia region ... 26 Table 3: Slope classes of Kebeles in CASCAPE intervention woredas ................... 27 Table 4. Area and percent coverage of lithology in CASCAPE intervention kebeles in Omo Nada woreda ....................................................................................... 38 Table 5: Summary of major Soil types and their distribution in the four CASCAPE intervention kebeles of Omo Nada woreda....................................................... 42 Table 6. Site and profile description and lab analytical data of CASCAPE intervention kebeles in Omo Nada woreda ....................................................... 44 6.1. Site and profile description of Doyo Yaya Kebele ....................................... 44 Table 6.2: Physical properties of soil profile in Doyo Yaya ................................. 47 Table 6.3: Selected chemical properties of soil profiles in Doyo Yaya Kebele ........ 48 Table 6.4. Exchangeable cations and CEC results of soil profiles in Doyo yaya kebele ................................................................................................................. 48 Table 6.5 : Site and profile description of soil profiles in nada Bidaru kebele ........ 49 Table 6.6: Physical properties of soil profiles in Nada Bidaru Kebele .................. 51 Table 6.7: Selected chemical properties of soil profiles in Nada Bidaru ................ 51 Table 6.8: Exchangeable cations and CEC results of soil profiles in Nada Bidaru kebele ........................................................................................................ 52 Table 6.9: Site and profile description of Nada Chala Kebele in Omo Nada Woreda ................................................................................................................. 52 Tabler 6.10: Physical properties of soil profiles in Nada Chala Kebele ................. 54 Table 6.11: Selected chemical properties of soil profiles in Nada Chala kebele ..... 55 Table 6.12: Exchangeable cations and CEC results of soil profiles in Nada Chala kebele ........................................................................................................ 55 Table 6.13: Site and profile description of Toli Beyem Kebele in Omo Nada Woreda ................................................................................................................. 56 Table 6.14: Physical properties of soil profiles in Toli Beyem Kebele .................. 57 Table 6.15: Selected chemical properties of soil profiles in Toli Beyem kebele ..... 57 1 Table 6.16: Exchangeable cations and CEC results of soil profiles