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

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.