Distribution and importance of Ethiopian vertisols and location of study sites

This chapter describes the distribution, use and importance of Vertisols in Ethiopia and indicates the study sites of the Joint Vertisol Project. Land and soil features are examined with particular reference to parent materials and landscape features, soil characterisation (colour, texture and depth-to-root-restricting layer). Distribution of Vertisols along the 12 physiographic regions of Ethiopia is described, the major agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia is listed, and distribution of Vertisols and their associations in Ethiopia is shown. Also grain yields some food crops on Vertisols under traditional management in the central Ethiopian highlands and potential arable areas of Vertisols in the different thermal and growing period zones.