Salt Affected Soils in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. A Characterization and Classification (PDF)

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2019 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Physical Geography, Geomorphology, Environmental Studies, Haramaya University, course: Management of Arid and Salt Affected Soils, language: English, abstract: The aim of this study was to identify the nature and quantify selectively soil chemical properties of the study area, to characterize and categorize salinity soil based on their salt content of the study area and to give suggestion appropriated reclaim of salt affected agricultural land management practices.

Soil salinity and alkalinity problems are commonly found in the arid and semi-arid regions of the earth due to insufficient annual rainfall to leach accumulated salts from the root zone. In other words, salt affected soils often occur in areas where soluble salts and sodium (Na) accumulate in soils through physical and chemical weathering of rocks or the pedogenic process of the soil development, atmospheric precipitation and fossil salts from marine or lacustrine environments. Moreover, heavy fertilizer application and use of poor-quality irrigation water and inadequate drainage have contributed to the development of salt affected soils and productivity deterioration of many soils in irrigated arid and semi-arid regions.

Ethiopia is the first in Africa and the ninth country in the World having more than 11 million ha of salt affected soils which are mainly found in the Rift Valley, Wabi Shebele River Basin and various lowlands of the country. Following the establishment of large-scale irrigated farms, the problem become worse due to poor drainage system and inappropriate water management practices coupled with unsound reclamation procedures,

To understand how improved soil fertility may assist in reaching these needs, it requires knowledge of salinity and sodicity related soil chemical properties the soils of the land's agriculture. Such knowledge is believed to help the producers and production managers to understand about and make the necessary modifications in the soil-salt-water balance.