How reliable is the Walkley-Black method for analyzing carbon-poor, semi-arid soils in Ethiopia?

Tigist Araya Gessesse, Asia Khamzina

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    23 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Soil degradation in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates accurate soil carbon quantification using a locally applicable method. We assessed the reliability of the original Walkley-Black method for analyzing soil organic carbon (SOC) in semi-arid soils in northern Ethiopia characterized by low SOC (1.3 ± 0.09%) and lack of carbonates. Eighty samples from entire soil profiles were collected in four prevalent land use systems along an elevation gradient and analyzed using the Walkley-Black method and CN elemental analyzer. The results were compared by linear regression analysis followed by the Bland and Altman analysis, eliminating the possible bias of regression. The analyses demonstrated the universal applicability of the Walkley-Black method using the standard correction factor (1.32) for SOC evaluation in carbon-poor, non-calcareous soils.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)98-101
    Number of pages4
    JournalJournal of Arid Environments
    Volume153
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2018 Jun

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This work was supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany . We thank Yemane Welday, Tesfay Berihu, Mulugeta Sbhatleab, Askual Weldu, Negasi Solomon, and Angelika Glogau for their support during field and laboratory work.

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2018 Elsevier Ltd

    Copyright:
    Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

    Keywords

    • Bland and Altman analysis
    • CN analyzer
    • Leptosol
    • Soil organic carbon (SOC)

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
    • Ecology
    • Earth-Surface Processes

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