Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Isihak Lolo; Fayisa Gurmu; Fenan Tola

doi:doi:10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12

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Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Isihak Lolo^*

, Fayisa Gurmu, Fenan Tola

Published in World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology (Volume 3, Issue 3)

Received: 24 June 2025 Accepted: 14 July 2025 Published: 11 August 2025

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Abstract

Soil fertility status under different land use systems has been verified to be useful for soil fertility management practices and the efficient utilization of limited land resources. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2023 in the Yabello District to assess soil fertility status under different land use systems and mapping of selected soil fertility parameters. Consequently, based on soil factors such as parent materials, topography, climate, and geomorphology, Yabello District was divided into 87 sampling units. A total of eighty-seven (87) sample mapping units were identified, and composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical properties at the Yabello and Batu Soil Research Centers. For soil parameter analysis, laboratory standards were followed. Based on laboratory results, the data was subjected to interpolation using ArcGIS 10.8 software (ordinary kriging), was used to predict values for unsampled locations and to map the whole district. Accordingly, soil texture was categorized as sandy clay loam in forest, cultivate and grazing lands, and sandy clay in shrub lands. Available phosphorus ranged from medium to high in forest land, medium in shrub and grassland, and low in cultivated land. Soil pH was categorized as slightly acidic to neutral in forest land, neutral in grassland, and slightly alkaline in cultivated and shrub lands. Organic carbon ranged from low to high in forest land, medium in grassland, and low to medium in cultivated areas. Therefore, further research should focus on correlating and calibrating soil test with crop responses to develop site-specific fertilizer recommendations and optimal application rates.

Published in	World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology (Volume 3, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12
Page(s)	50-61
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

ArcGIS, Geomorphology, Parent Materials, Physicochemical, Topography

References

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APA Style

Lolo, I., Gurmu, F., Tola, F. (2025). Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia. World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 3(3), 50-61. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12

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ACS Style

Lolo, I.; Gurmu, F.; Tola, F. Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia. World J. Agric. Sci. Technol. 2025, 3(3), 50-61. doi: 10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12

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AMA Style

Lolo I, Gurmu F, Tola F. Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia. World J Agric Sci Technol. 2025;3(3):50-61. doi: 10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12

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@article{10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12,
  author = {Isihak Lolo and Fayisa Gurmu and Fenan Tola},
  title = {Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia
},
  journal = {World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology},
  volume = {3},
  number = {3},
  pages = {50-61},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjast.20250303.12},
  abstract = {Soil fertility status under different land use systems has been verified to be useful for soil fertility management practices and the efficient utilization of limited land resources. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2023 in the Yabello District to assess soil fertility status under different land use systems and mapping of selected soil fertility parameters. Consequently, based on soil factors such as parent materials, topography, climate, and geomorphology, Yabello District was divided into 87 sampling units. A total of eighty-seven (87) sample mapping units were identified, and composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical properties at the Yabello and Batu Soil Research Centers. For soil parameter analysis, laboratory standards were followed. Based on laboratory results, the data was subjected to interpolation using ArcGIS 10.8 software (ordinary kriging), was used to predict values for unsampled locations and to map the whole district. Accordingly, soil texture was categorized as sandy clay loam in forest, cultivate and grazing lands, and sandy clay in shrub lands. Available phosphorus ranged from medium to high in forest land, medium in shrub and grassland, and low in cultivated land. Soil pH was categorized as slightly acidic to neutral in forest land, neutral in grassland, and slightly alkaline in cultivated and shrub lands. Organic carbon ranged from low to high in forest land, medium in grassland, and low to medium in cultivated areas. Therefore, further research should focus on correlating and calibrating soil test with crop responses to develop site-specific fertilizer recommendations and optimal application rates.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

AU  - Isihak Lolo
AU  - Fayisa Gurmu
AU  - Fenan Tola
Y1  - 2025/08/11
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12
T2  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
JF  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
JO  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
SP  - 50
EP  - 61
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7332
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12
AB  - Soil fertility status under different land use systems has been verified to be useful for soil fertility management practices and the efficient utilization of limited land resources. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2023 in the Yabello District to assess soil fertility status under different land use systems and mapping of selected soil fertility parameters. Consequently, based on soil factors such as parent materials, topography, climate, and geomorphology, Yabello District was divided into 87 sampling units. A total of eighty-seven (87) sample mapping units were identified, and composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical properties at the Yabello and Batu Soil Research Centers. For soil parameter analysis, laboratory standards were followed. Based on laboratory results, the data was subjected to interpolation using ArcGIS 10.8 software (ordinary kriging), was used to predict values for unsampled locations and to map the whole district. Accordingly, soil texture was categorized as sandy clay loam in forest, cultivate and grazing lands, and sandy clay in shrub lands. Available phosphorus ranged from medium to high in forest land, medium in shrub and grassland, and low in cultivated land. Soil pH was categorized as slightly acidic to neutral in forest land, neutral in grassland, and slightly alkaline in cultivated and shrub lands. Organic carbon ranged from low to high in forest land, medium in grassland, and low to medium in cultivated areas. Therefore, further research should focus on correlating and calibrating soil test with crop responses to develop site-specific fertilizer recommendations and optimal application rates.
VL  - 3
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Isihak Lolo

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Yabello Pastoral and Dryland Agriculture Research Center, Yabello, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-2972-2471
Fayisa Gurmu

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Yabello Pastoral and Dryland Agriculture Research Center, Yabello, Ethiopia

Contact Email
Fenan Tola

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Yabello Pastoral and Dryland Agriculture Research Center, Yabello, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-1265-4730

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APA Style

Lolo, I., Gurmu, F., Tola, F. (2025). Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia. World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 3(3), 50-61. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12

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ACS Style

Lolo, I.; Gurmu, F.; Tola, F. Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia. World J. Agric. Sci. Technol. 2025, 3(3), 50-61. doi: 10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12

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AMA Style

Lolo I, Gurmu F, Tola F. Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia. World J Agric Sci Technol. 2025;3(3):50-61. doi: 10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12

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@article{10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12,
  author = {Isihak Lolo and Fayisa Gurmu and Fenan Tola},
  title = {Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia
},
  journal = {World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology},
  volume = {3},
  number = {3},
  pages = {50-61},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjast.20250303.12},
  abstract = {Soil fertility status under different land use systems has been verified to be useful for soil fertility management practices and the efficient utilization of limited land resources. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2023 in the Yabello District to assess soil fertility status under different land use systems and mapping of selected soil fertility parameters. Consequently, based on soil factors such as parent materials, topography, climate, and geomorphology, Yabello District was divided into 87 sampling units. A total of eighty-seven (87) sample mapping units were identified, and composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical properties at the Yabello and Batu Soil Research Centers. For soil parameter analysis, laboratory standards were followed. Based on laboratory results, the data was subjected to interpolation using ArcGIS 10.8 software (ordinary kriging), was used to predict values for unsampled locations and to map the whole district. Accordingly, soil texture was categorized as sandy clay loam in forest, cultivate and grazing lands, and sandy clay in shrub lands. Available phosphorus ranged from medium to high in forest land, medium in shrub and grassland, and low in cultivated land. Soil pH was categorized as slightly acidic to neutral in forest land, neutral in grassland, and slightly alkaline in cultivated and shrub lands. Organic carbon ranged from low to high in forest land, medium in grassland, and low to medium in cultivated areas. Therefore, further research should focus on correlating and calibrating soil test with crop responses to develop site-specific fertilizer recommendations and optimal application rates.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment and Mapping of Soil Fertility Status Under Different Land Use Systems of Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

AU  - Isihak Lolo
AU  - Fayisa Gurmu
AU  - Fenan Tola
Y1  - 2025/08/11
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12
T2  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
JF  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
JO  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
SP  - 50
EP  - 61
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7332
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250303.12
AB  - Soil fertility status under different land use systems has been verified to be useful for soil fertility management practices and the efficient utilization of limited land resources. The study was conducted from 2021 to 2023 in the Yabello District to assess soil fertility status under different land use systems and mapping of selected soil fertility parameters. Consequently, based on soil factors such as parent materials, topography, climate, and geomorphology, Yabello District was divided into 87 sampling units. A total of eighty-seven (87) sample mapping units were identified, and composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical properties at the Yabello and Batu Soil Research Centers. For soil parameter analysis, laboratory standards were followed. Based on laboratory results, the data was subjected to interpolation using ArcGIS 10.8 software (ordinary kriging), was used to predict values for unsampled locations and to map the whole district. Accordingly, soil texture was categorized as sandy clay loam in forest, cultivate and grazing lands, and sandy clay in shrub lands. Available phosphorus ranged from medium to high in forest land, medium in shrub and grassland, and low in cultivated land. Soil pH was categorized as slightly acidic to neutral in forest land, neutral in grassland, and slightly alkaline in cultivated and shrub lands. Organic carbon ranged from low to high in forest land, medium in grassland, and low to medium in cultivated areas. Therefore, further research should focus on correlating and calibrating soil test with crop responses to develop site-specific fertilizer recommendations and optimal application rates.
VL  - 3
IS  - 3
ER  -

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