Long Term Sugarcane Cultivation Effect on Selected Physical and Hydraulic Properties of Soils at Three Ethiopian Sugarcane Estates

The long term use of heavy weighted agricultural vehicles for sugarcane cultivation has caused long lasting soil physical and hydraulic properties altering. However, information on the extent of change is scant. In this context, a study was conducted in 2017 to investigate the effect of long term mechanized sugarcane cultivation on status of soil physical and hydraulic properties at three pioneer Ethiopian Sugar Estates. In order to achieve this objective, Composite and core soil samples were collected from 0-30 layer of fields for laboratory analysis. Results of the study indicated that soils under cultivation had higher clay contents than uncultivated soils. The bulk density and total porosity values were out of optimum ranges for sugarcane cultivation. Soils under sugarcane had higher available water holding capacity than the uncultivated soils. Available water holding capacity of the three estates is above the threshold value ideal for sugarcane cultivation. The mean basic infiltration rate value of uncultivated land was greater than the cultivated lands. From these findings one can conclude that long term cultivation of sugarcane induces soil compaction which decreased the total pore space of a soil mainly by increasing fineness of the soils. The existing soil management based on pF2 classes of the three estates is poorly related with soil physical and hydraulic parameters. The gradual water releasing behaviors manifested by clay soils of Ethiopian Sugar Estates could be considered as an asset in increasing yield per fields of the estates if accompanied by good soil water managements. Hence, to maintain sustainability of sugarcane production in the three estates; soil management practices that can protect/ ameliorate soil compaction are important. Nevertheless, to develop a concrete recommendation and to measure the long term effects of sugarcane cultivation on properties of state soils further research studies are needed.