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Causes of Soil Acidity and Its Management Mechanisms in Ethiopia: A Review.

Mulugeta Tufa Ejersa

Soil acidity has become a serious problem to crop production in most highlands of Ethiopia. An earlier study estimated that about 41% of cultivated land in Ethiopia is affected by soil acidity where 28% of cultivated land is highly acidic. Even though this much were acidic, it its degree is varied from location to location in which highland was severely affected thereby limit crop productivity and livelihoods. In the highland of Ethiopia acidification could aggravated due to the different agents such as depletion of organic matter, soil nutrients, feature of topography and high rainfall which can to leach appreciable amounts of exchangeable basic cations. In large parts of the country application acid-forming chemical fertilizers, removal of crop residues, and parent material of the soil are the causes for soil acidification. Acidic soil adversely affects the availability of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and other nutrients, which can in turns affect the diversity and function of soil microbes. Soil acidity can amend through application of; lime, integrate soil fertility management components, and using acid tolerant crops varieties. Liming can treat soil pH along with supplying oxides and hydroxides of calcium and magnesium to the soil. Management of acid soil is crucial issue for enhancing crop productivity and improves food security. It also provides important information on management options to amend soil acidity and improve soil fertility.