Effect of integrated soil fertility management on hydrophysical soil properties and irrigated wheat production in the upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, soil fertility problem caused by acidity substantially limits agricultural productivity, necessitating sustainable integrated nutrient management. This study assessed the effect of combined application of lime, manure and inorganic fertilizer on selected hydrophysical properties of an acid clay Nitisols in the Koga irrigation scheme, Ethiopia. Five levels of integrated soil fertility management treatments were tested for four consecutive cropping seasons: (i) 0.86 t ha−1 lime combined with 3 t ha−1 manure and full−dose inorganic (urea and NPS−B) fertilizer (L3); (ii) 1.15 t ha−1 lime combined with 3 t ha−1 manure and full−dose inorganic fertilizer (L2); (iii) 1.43 t ha−1 lime combined with 3 t ha−1 manure and full−dose inorganic fertilizer (L1); (iv) 3 t ha−1 manure combined with full−dose inorganic fertilizer (M); and (v) full−dose inorganic fertilizer alone (C) as a control. Undisturbed soil samples were collected at 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil depths and analyzed to determine saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), soil−water retention characteristics, total porosity and bulk density. Disturbed soil samples were collected at the same depths to analyze soil organic carbon and texture. Infiltration capacity measurements and visual evaluation of soil structural quality were done in the field. Significantly higher (P M > L3 > and C for both soil depths 0–10 and 10–20 cm. The Ks under plots treated with L1 was 64% and 37% higher than that of C for the 0–10 and 10–20 soil depths, respectively. Significantly (P