Soil Survey Report Summary: Amibara Cotton State Farm
Project: Amibara Drainage Project Phase-II
Location: Amibara Cotton State Farm, Ethiopia
Conducted by: Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Ltd
Survey Dates: October 1995 - January 1996
1. Overview
The report contains detailed soil survey data from 88 auger bore samples collected across the Amibara Cotton State Farm in Ethiopia. The survey was conducted as part of the Amibara Drainage Project Phase-II to assess soil characteristics for agricultural planning and water management.
2. Key Findings
Soil Characteristics
- Texture: Varied from sandy loam (SL) to clay loam (ZCL) with some clay (ZC) and sandy (S) layers
- Color: Predominantly 10YR hue (yellowish-brown) with value/chroma ranging from 3/2 to 5/3
- Consistence: Ranged from loose to very firm depending on depth and texture
- Reaction to HCl: Mostly strong to violent reaction indicating calcium carbonate presence
Groundwater Conditions
- Depth: Varied from 103cm to >500cm across different locations
- Electrical Conductivity (EC): Ranged from 0.82 to 18.29 dS/m, with some highly saline areas
- pH: Generally neutral to slightly alkaline (7.0-8.6)
3. Soil Profile Characteristics
| Depth Range (cm) | Common Texture | Typical Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 0-60 | ZCL (Clay Loam), SCL (Sandy Clay Loam) | Soft to slightly hard, often dry and powdery with cracks |
| 60-200 | ZCL, ZL (Loam), SCL | Friable consistency, becoming moist with depth |
| 200-400 | ZL, SL (Sandy Loam), S (Sand) | Variable texture, often with lime concretions or mottles |
| 400+ | ZC (Clay), ZCL | Firm to very firm, often impermeable layers |
4. Agricultural Observations
- Most fields were at cotton picking stage during the survey (October-November 1995)
- Crop conditions varied from poor to good, often correlating with soil salinity levels
- Surface cracking was commonly observed in drier fields
- Some areas showed signs of salinity with white salt deposits at the surface
5. Notable Issues
- Salinity: Several locations showed high groundwater EC (>10 dS/m) indicating salinity problems
- Impermeable Layers: Depth to impermeable layers varied significantly (150-500cm)
- Drainage: Some areas had very shallow groundwater tables (<150cm)
- Variability: Significant spatial variability in soil properties across the farm
6. Recommendations (Implied from Data)
- Drainage improvements needed in areas with shallow, saline groundwater
- Site-specific management required due to soil variability
- Monitoring of soil salinity in problematic areas
- Consideration of salt-tolerant crops in high EC zones
- Further investigation of impermeable layer depths for drainage design