It is known that all soils contain certain amount of soluble salts and exchangeable sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium. However, when the concentration of either of them is excess, it will interfere with many soil processes including plant growth and the effects depend on the degree of concentration and type of plant. It is, therefore, with this understanding that a study was conducted with the objective to classify and characterize the salt affected soils of coba area in Golina watershed at Raya Kobo Valley, North Wollo Zone of Ethiopia. To conduct this activity, one profile was excavated, those excavated from non-irrigated field. Ten soil samples were taken from soil profile at 20 cm depth intervals in two meter profile depths. The samples were analyzed for some chemical properties such as soil pH, soluble cations and anions, soluble salts (electrical conductivity, EC), and exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K), total nitrogen, organic carbon, and available phosphorus, exchangeable sodium percentage, sodium absorption ratio and physical characteristics of the soil like soil color, texture, bulk density, and soil porosity. According to the results of the analysis, the soils of non-irrigated soil profile had pH of 7.4 to 8.5, electrical conductivity of 3.1 to 9.7 ds/m, organic carbon of 0.4 to 1.5%, total nitrogen of 0.09 to 0.27%, available phosphorus of 25 to 46.5 mg/kg, and cation exchange capacity of 48.7 to 57.2 cmol (+)/kg of soil. In general, considering the top layers of the soils of the site (as this are responsible for agricultural purposes) taking in to account their EC, ESP, and pH values. The soils can be classified as saline sodic soil for non-irrigated farm land.

Keywords: Non irrigated farm, Soil profile, Soil properties, Characterization and Classification