Research Article
Evaluation and Demonstration of Combined Application of Gypsum (CaSO4) and Compost for Soil Salinity Management in East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Tesfaye Gemechu*
,
Kasahun Kitila,
Abay Chala
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
59-64
Received:
8 April 2026
Accepted:
3 June 2026
Published:
3 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.sf.20260703.11
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Views:
Abstract: An expansion of irrigated agriculture is greatly contributing to the build-up of and spread of salinity problems. A small-scale evaluation and demonstration of soil salinity reclamation technology was done to evaluate yield and profitability performances on onion crop under farmers management conditions at small scale irrigation farms in Dugda district, Oromia, Ethiopia. Appropriate sites were selected in collaboration with district level agricultural experts and development agents based on soil salinity problems. Plots were divided in to two treatments of gypsum applied at 100 gypsum requirement which is 4ton/ha in combination with 2.5ton/ha of compost and farmers fertilization practices with no application of gypsum and compost. The treatments were replicated across 10 trial farmers’ fields. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test and qualitatively. The best yield was gained from plots where gypsum (4ton/ha) and compost (2.5ton/ha) were applied together. This combined approach outperformed the other treatments, and the difference were statistically significant based on t-test results. Notably, gypsum treated plots produced a yield advantage of 12.4% higher than the untreated plots and a marginal rate of return of 1.75. The participant farmers also gave positive feedback regarding the soil salinity reclamation technology. Hence, applying gypsum at 100 gypsum requirement in combination with compost is recommended for reclaiming salt affected soils in the district and similar agro-ecologies.
Abstract: An expansion of irrigated agriculture is greatly contributing to the build-up of and spread of salinity problems. A small-scale evaluation and demonstration of soil salinity reclamation technology was done to evaluate yield and profitability performances on onion crop under farmers management conditions at small scale irrigation farms in Dugda dist...
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