Soil Characteristics, Water Quality Assessment and Mapping of Agricultural Land Use in Raya Azebo, Tigray, Ethiopia

Soil survey assessment was conducted to characterize and map the distribution of the physico-chemical characteristics of irrigated and rain-fed agriculture and water quality evaluation from irrigated areas in Raya Azebo, Tigray, Ethiopia. A total of 76 Auger samples have been taken from a depth of 0-20cm. Three Pits, 1m x1m and 40cm depth also were opened, and soil samples were taken from two soil depths 0-20 and 20-40cm. Assessment of the groundwater quality of the study area was done to determine its suitability for agricultural purposes and water for this purpose requires meeting certain safety standards. Water samples were also collected from the main source hand-dug wells and the furrow irrigation for analysis. Accordingly, major soil properties and water quality parameters were analyzed and mapped. The selected parameters for rain-fed were pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, organic matter, cat ion exchange capacity, available potassium, exchangeable calcium and magnesium. Important constituents like TDS (243.2 to 448 mg/l), pH (7.08 to 7.95), and EC (0.95 to 1.75 dS/m) were assessed from the water sample and compared with standard limits of irrigation water quality. In general, the soils of both rain-fed and irrigated areas and the irrigation water quality laid under safe and salt-free, but some soil nutrients like organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium status showed low to medium rank. Hence, the soil requires attention regarding integrated nutrient management approaches.