Assessment of Soil Nutrients and Agricultural Potential in Rare-site Forest Patch at Haramaya, Ethiopia: A Case Study on pH, EC, and Soil Characteristics

Nutrients are a substance that promotes growth, provides energy, and maintains life. Any deficient nutrients will limit crop growth. Soil samples were collected from Rare-site inside forest patch in Haramaya University. Five sampling areas were identified inside the forest and the samples were collected at a soil depth of 0 to 20 cm by auger in systematic Zigzag sampling technique. The pH value of sample soil was 7.55, which was modestly alkaline. It was suitable for most of the plants to be grown, but slightly modifying the pH level may require when soil is used for agricultural crop production because salinity affects the upper parts of soil around the crops root. An estimated EC was 0.10065 ds/m. Though, the soils have a potential for agricultural development under rained as well as irrigated conditions, but the productivity is limited due to low fertility, low water holding capacity, shallow soil depth, prevalence of hardpan and faulty irrigation practices. The sample analysis revealed that the soil is undisturbed and good in condition of Total nitrogen, soil organic carbon and soil organic matter that was 3%, 4% and 65% respectively. The soil was loamy sand with 77%, 15% and 8% percent of sand, clay and silt proportion respectively. This implies that the water holding capacity was low and has high infiltration rate. Finally, the researcher have concluded that, the soil in this range does not require any significant modification for more production and sustainable agricultural development.