Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (FAES)

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Browsing Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (FAES) by Author "Byamukama, Simon"

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    Effects of Eucalyptus Tree Plantations and Croplands on Selected Soil Physicochemical Properties in Lake Bunyonyi Sub-Catchment of South-Western Uganda.
    (Kabale University, 2024) Byamukama, Simon
    In the Lake Bunyonyi sub-catchment located in the highlands of southwestern Uganda, considerable cropland has been converted to Eucalyptus Plantations (EP) for household income diversification. Nevertheless, no studies have investigated the effects of eucalyptus plantations on soil physicochemical properties in the study area. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of Eucalyptus spp. on soil physicochemical properties in the Lake Bunyonyi sub-catchment. Two land use types (EPs and cropland) were used for comparison in the study area. Soil samples were collected from six locations (Kyevu, Murandi, Katooma, Muko, Heisesero, and Butenga) in Bufundi Sub County. Landsat TM/ETM images for spatial temporal variations of EP alongside other land uses, and a field survey design accompanied by laboratory analysis of soil samples were used to determine the effect of EP on selected soil physicochemical properties. The study findings on the spatial coverage of eucalyptus in the study area showed an increase of 10.3% and 26.5% between 1988 to 2005 and 2005 to 2022 in EP cover, respectively. Paired samples t-test revealed no significant differences in the soil physical properties (soil texture, moisture, and bulk density) between Cropland (CP) and EP (p<0.05). However, the study findings indicated soil pH under EP was significantly lower than that of Cropland (CP) (p<0.05). Further, there was no significant difference in soil organic matter content between EP and CP. Similarly, there were no significant differences in available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and total nitrogen. It was, therefore, revealed that EP did not significantly affect the physical and chemical parameters of the soil, except for soil pH. Further research is necessary to fully comprehend the effects of EP on soil properties, taking into account picking at different distances from eucalyptus, successive stand ages, and management practices that were not addressed in the present study.