African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6860

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of soil fertility status in the Kyoga Basin of Uganda: A physio-chemical study in Buyende and Serere districts

Ronald Inguula Odongo
  • Ronald Inguula Odongo
  • Department of Geography, Geo-informatics, and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Mulungi Trust Nakanwagi
  • Mulungi Trust Nakanwagi
  • Department of Agricultural Production, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Isaac Mugume
  • Isaac Mugume
  • Department of Geography, Geo-informatics, and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Mary Nsabagwa
  • Mary Nsabagwa
  • Department of Networks, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Alex Nimusiima
  • Alex Nimusiima
  • Department of Geography, Geo-informatics, and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Bob Alex Ogwang
  • Bob Alex Ogwang
  • Directorate of Training and Research, Uganda National Meteorological Authority, Kampala P. O. Box 7025, Uganda.
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Annet Margaret
  • Annet Margaret
  • Department of Geography, Geo-informatics, and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Sylvia Nahayo
  • Sylvia Nahayo
  • Department of Environmental Management, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Faridah S Nalwanga
  • Faridah S Nalwanga
  • Department of Environmental Management, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Julianne Sansa-Otim
  • Julianne Sansa-Otim
  • Department of Networks, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Irene Musiime
  • Irene Musiime
  • Department of Networks, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Robert Kakuru
  • Robert Kakuru
  • Department of Philosophy, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Anthony Mwije
  • Anthony Mwije
  • Department of Agricultural Production, Makerere University, Kampala P. O. Box 7062, Uganda.
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Peter Wasswa
  • Peter Wasswa
  • Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa.
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  •  Received: 01 May 2021
  •  Accepted: 25 August 2023
  •  Published: 31 October 2023

Abstract

Nutrients present in the soil are important elements required for the healthy growth of plants. This study, therefore, sought to examine the physio-chemical properties of soils in Buyende and Serere districts, in the Kyoga basin, Uganda. Using soil auger, soil samples were purposively picked from Serere (23) and Buyende (17) districts at depth of (0-25 cm).  Routine soil analysis was done for the macro soil nutrients of pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter, potassium, and soil texture. The physio-chemical properties were then subjected to statistical analyses to assess the soil properties variability using the coefficient of variation. The study also examined Soil Structural Stability Index and mapped the spatial distribution of soil physio-chemical properties using ArcMap10.2.2. Results indicated that the soil physio-chemical properties varied spatially and sandy clay loam was identified as the major textural class (Serere (52.2%) and Buyende (47.2%)). Additionally, Soil structural stability index results showed that the soils were structurally degraded across the two districts. The study recommends that the government and NGOs intervene by revising policies and providing subsidies that support farmers to test their soils as well as other farm inputs that improve soil fertility.

Key words: Soil fertility status, physio-chemical, soil structural stability index, Kyoga Basin, Uganda.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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