Evaluation of phosphogypsum and pore volume water rates for reclaiming saline-sodic cambisols of Metehara sugar estate, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia
- 1Haramaya University, School of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Ethiopia
- 2College of Agriculture, School of Plant and Horticultural Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
Abstract
Soil salinity and sodicity are among the major challenges threatening agricultural productivity in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. A column experiment was conducted in laboratory on saline-sodic soils of Metehara Sugar Estate to evaluate the effectiveness of phosphogypsum and leaching in reclaiming these soils. The treatments comprised of five rates of phosphogypsum equivalent to 50, 75, 100, 150, and 200% gypsum requirement, 100% gypsum requirement of natural gypsum, and an absolute control with no amendments applied, and five volumes of leaching water. The treatments were arranged in Complete Randomized Design with three replications. The leaching water was applied to the columns in an intermittent ponding mode. Leachates and soil samples collected from the columns after termination of the leaching process were analyzed for selected soil properties. Results showed that applying phosphogypsum at a rate of 100% gypsum requirement or higher (which is equivalent to ≥ 13 tons/ha) along with 3–4 pore volume of leaching water was found to be the most effective combination to reduce salinity and sodicity to levels that are suitable for most crops (ECe < 4 dS/m and ESP < 10%,). The efficiency of phosphogypsum equivalent to 200% gypsum requirement was 81% and 75% in soluble salt removal and Na reduction, respectively. Results of the study suggest that phosphogypsum is a promising reclamation material for saline-sodic soils. However, a greenhouse and field experiments have to be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of these amendments under controlled and natural conditions and come-up with implementable rate recommendations.
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BibTeX
@article{gonfa2026evaluation,
title = {{Evaluation of phosphogypsum and pore volume water rates for reclaiming saline-sodic cambisols of Metehara sugar estate, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia}},
author = {Kebenu Feyisa Gonfa and Kibebew Kibret Tsehai and Sheleme Beyene Jiru and Lemma Wogi Mirkena},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0345688},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0345688},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Evaluation of phosphogypsum and pore volume water rates for reclaiming saline-sodic cambisols of Metehara sugar estate, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia
AU - Kebenu Feyisa Gonfa
AU - Kibebew Kibret Tsehai
AU - Sheleme Beyene Jiru
AU - Lemma Wogi Mirkena
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/11
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0345688
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0345688
AB - Soil salinity and sodicity are among the major challenges threatening agricultural productivity in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. A column experiment was conducted in laboratory on saline-sodic soils of Metehara Sugar Estate to evaluate the effectiveness of phosphogypsum and leaching in reclaiming these soils. The treatments comprised of five rates of phosphogypsum equivalent to 50, 75, 100, 150, and 200% gypsum requirement, 100% gypsum requirement of natural gypsum, and an absolute control with no amendments applied, and five volumes of leaching water. The treatments were arranged in Complete Randomized Design with three replications. The leaching water was applied to the columns in an intermittent ponding mode. Leachates and soil samples collected from the columns after termination of the leaching process were analyzed for selected soil properties. Results showed that applying phosphogypsum at a rate of 100% gypsum requirement or higher (which is equivalent to ≥ 13 tons/ha) along with 3–4 pore volume of leaching water was found to be the most effective combination to reduce salinity and sodicity to levels that are suitable for most crops (ECe < 4 dS/m and ESP < 10%,). The efficiency of phosphogypsum equivalent to 200% gypsum requirement was 81% and 75% in soluble salt removal and Na reduction, respectively. Results of the study suggest that phosphogypsum is a promising reclamation material for saline-sodic soils. However, a greenhouse and field experiments have to be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of these amendments under controlled and natural conditions and come-up with implementable rate recommendations.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -