Abstract:
Effective soil management requires an understanding of soil morphology and physicochemical
properties. The detailed description, characterization, and classification of soils are important criteria for soil
management. The purpose of this study was to assess the morphological, physical, and chemical properties
of soils in the Ifa Galano micro-watershed of the Sayo district. Four pedons were opened and analyzed for
specific parameters to achieve these goals. Soils were classified after their morphological properties were
studied in the field and their physicochemical properties were studied in the laboratory. The pedons were over
150cm deep. Except for pedon 4, the surface soil structure was granular, with a friable to firm consistency and
clay texture. The soils were classified as very strongly acidic to moderately acidic with low to medium organic
carbon. The total N content of the pedon studied ranged from low to high and decreased with depth and the
soil available phosphorous was very low to low. The soil CEC was high while PBS ranged from low to medium.
Most extracted micronutrients were high to very high except copper which was low in almost all pedons.
Based on identified morphological, physical and chemical properties; the studied soil pedons were classified
as Hyperdystric Nitisols (pedon 1 and 4), Umbric Nitisols (pedon 2) and Rhodic Alisols (pedon 3). Gener-
ally, the depth, land use types and topography of the site influence most of the selected soil properties. The
pH readings of the soil at the study site indicate that there is an acidity problem in the soil. This acidity may
limit soil productivity and crop yield. As a result, amendments such as lime, biochar, FYM, compost, vermi-
compost, inorganic fertilisers, and their combinations should be required to reduce acidity, resulting in sus-
tainable agriculture
