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Soil Fertility and Soil Health

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The Soils of Ethiopia

Part of the book series: World Soils Book Series ((WSBS))

Abstract

Soil is a fundamental resource that supports the production of food and other environmental services. Soil fertility, together with other production factors, is a key soil attribute that determines agricultural productivity and food security, particularly in developing countries. A fertile soil has to provide growth requirements, as determined by its physical, chemical, and biological attributes, at optimum level in order to get optimum benefits. Soil fertility is an indicator of soil health in that fertile soils (in all the three components) are generally healthy. However, the fertility status of most Ethiopian soils is considered to be poor due to severe soil erosion, high levels of nutrient mining, and insignificant use of external inputs, with likely negative consequences on soil health. Deficiency of N and P is the most common problem in almost all the soils in the country. The different forms of degradation to which soils of the country have been prone to have resulted in deterioration of soil quality and soil health. Although empirical evidences on soil sustainability and resilience are none to scant, the decline in soil quality is expected to reflect negatively on soil sustainability and soil resilience. Restoration interventions that improve soil quality, enhance soil sustainability, and build soil resilience are required to ensure a sustainable agriculture in the country. Ensuring soil sustainability and soil resilience requires a shift in policy attention. It is high time that soils receive more respect, value, and policy consideration than before. It is only then that soil resources will be able to support the multiple functions that are central to the survival of human beings, animals, plants, and maintenance of environmental quality. More research should be done on soil quality, sustainability, and resilience as well as their interrelationship for a better understanding of factors and processes that affect their attainment and develop appropriate management interventions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Science, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

    Kibebew Kibret

  2. School of Plant and Horticultural Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia

    Sheleme Beyene

  3. Duetsche Gesselschaft Fuer Zusammenarbeit, GIZ, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Teklu Erkossa

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  1. Kibebew Kibret
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  2. Sheleme Beyene
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  3. Teklu Erkossa
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Correspondence to Kibebew Kibret .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Plant and Horticultural Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia

    Sheleme Beyene

  2. Department of Natural Resource Management, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia

    Alemayehu Regassa

  3. Department of Soil Science, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India

    Bipin B. Mishra

  4. Department of Natural Resource Management and Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia

    Mitiku Haile

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Kibret, K., Beyene, S., Erkossa, T. (2023). Soil Fertility and Soil Health. In: Beyene, S., Regassa, A., Mishra, B.B., Haile, M. (eds) The Soils of Ethiopia. World Soils Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17012-6_8

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