Assessing the nutrient status in selected land use types in Ugandan highland ecosystemsː a case study of Karangura sub county, Kabarole district

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the nutrient status in selected land use types in Ugandan highland ecosystems. There is limited knowledge and understanding on soil nutrient status in different landuses and this has resulted into inappropriate landuse that reduces the soil quality. The experimental design for this study was randomized complete block design (RCBD) in which the land use types were considered as treatments. Four land use types, namely, Eucalyptus woodlot, banana, cassava and coffee, were selected for comparison as treatments. Eucalyptus was considered as control treatment in the study. The results were analysed using the GenStat 14th Edition Statistical software and significant component means of Variance, standard error obtained using (LSD) at 5% probability levels. There was a significant difference in the pH levels between the land uses (p<0.05). Eucalyptus showed the highest mean soil pH (6.2) followed by cassava landuse and the least mean value of pH (5.7) was from coffee land use. Generally, the soil pH for all the blocks was slightly acidic and under the critical limit for crop growth. There was no significant difference in the soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, potassium, sodium and calcium between the land uses (p>0.05). All the values of organic matter were above the upper critical limit (3.0%), Available phosphorus was very high than the critical values (15-25) ppm, eucalyptus (100 ppm) and the least mean value of phosphorus (35.9) ppm from coffee landuse.Total nitrogen was low (0.006) in coffee landuse, Cassava landuse showed the highest mean potassium (26 cmol(+)/kg) Sodium was high in Cassava and Eucalyptus. Calcium was very low in this study. Soil texture was classified as sand with average sand content was higher in soils (95 %). It is recommended that the findings of this study can be used for further research on other soil parameters, soil and water management practices, socio economic character that affect different land uses. Use of fertilizers in the soil for a long time should be avoided since it leads to higher accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil hence affecting the environment