Evaluation of Soil Fertility in the Sekhukhune District, South Africa

Abstract

This study investigated soil nutrients and organic matter and their effects on crop production at three sites in the Sekhukhune District of South Africa. Three study sites, Mporwane Project, Fetakgomo Project, and Ikageng Project were selected for the research. Sampling was collected from Ap horizon, at plough depth of 25cm from the three sites The results showed that Fetakgomo project soils pH was higher than that of Ikageng and Mporwane was the lowest of the three sites, further more the pH was higher than required by the crops grown on the site. The electrical conductivity in Mporwane was the lowest of the three sites and Fetakgomo was the highest, the high electrical conductivity in Fetakgomo was a sign of high salt content in the soil which was sufficiently high to interfere with crops growth. Moisture in Fetakgomo and Ikageng soils was greater than Mporwane. Soils in Fetakgomo and Ikageng had high cation exchangeable capacity and exchangeable base than Mporwane. The high exchangeable bases and cation exchangeable capacity were considered to be attributed to clay content of the two sites, and to application of chemical fertilizers; while low soil chemical properties in Mporwane was due to the site soil structure and no application of organic and chemical fertilizers.
At the three sites there were different negative effects on crop production and attention was needed to changing farming systems to suit the soil. At Mporwane the soil nutrient contents needed to be improved. Fetakgomo and Ikageng projects had higher soil nutrients content than Mporwane; they also had high salt content, which was affecting plant growth. pH in both Fetakgomo and Ikageng project need to be reduced, proper farming techniques need to be applied to reduce soil salt levels at Fetakgomo and Ikageng projects. The appropriate salt-resistant seeds need to be used to suit the current condition.