Table 1 The mean of soil properties under different agroforestry practices in drylands of Southern Ethiopia

pH (1:2.5 soil: water)

0–30

7.07 ± 0.23^a

6.20 ± 0.19^c

6.34 ± 0.21^bc

6.39 ± 0.12^abc

30–60

7.02 ± 0.07^ab

6.42 ± 0.11^abc

6.50 ±^a0.22bc

6.25 ± 0.06^c

Organic carbon (%)

0–30

3.62 ± 0.22^a

2.77 ± 0.22^ab

3.16 ± 0.13^ab

2.69 ± 0.13^b

30–60

3.23 ± 0.16^ab

2.46 ± 0.07^b

2.87 ± 0.29^ab

2.77 ± 0.19^ab

Total nitrogen (%)

0–30

0.46 ± 0.03^a

0.23 ± 0.01 ^ab

0.31 ± 0.02^ab

0.20 ± 0.01^ab

30–60

0.29 ± 0.01^ab

0.19 ± 0.02^ab

0.24 ± 0.02^b

0.22 ± 0.02^ab

Available phosphorus (mg/kg)

0–30

12.63 ± 0.57^a

13.84 ± 0.90^a

11.65 ± 0.25^a

12.07 ± 1.33^a

30–60

11.06 ± 0.23^a

12.79 ± 0.66^a

10.66 ± 0.37^a

11.91 ± 1.01^a

Sand (%)

0–30

73.25 ± 1.09^a

67.25 ± 2.07^a

67.50 ± 2.67^a

65.25 ± 1.72^a

30–60

69.88 ± 1.07^a

66.75 ± 2.13^a

67.63 + 2.75^a

68.81 ± 0.95^a

Clay (%)

0–30

9.31 ± 1.49^a

10.00 ± 0.35^a

8.75 ± 0.66^a

8.00 ± 0.81^a

30–60

8.69 ± 1.27^a

9.75 ± 1.22^a

9.31 ± 1.29^a

8.19 ± 1.12^a

Silt (%)

0–30

17.44 ± 1.61^b

22.75 ± 1.90^ab

23.75 ± 2.80^ab

26.75 ± 2.49^a

30–60

21.44 ± 0.96^ab

23.50 ± 1.92^ab

23.69 ± 1.92^ab

23.00 ± 1.81^ab