Impacts of physical soil and water conservation measures on selected soil physico-chemal properties

Abstract

Soil erosion is the foremost cause of reducing soil fertility in Ethiopia negatively affecting agricultural productivity. To reduce soil erosion by water, physical soil and water conservation measures have been widely introduced. However, the study on the performance of those measures against its target is limited. Objective of this study was to assess the effects of physical soil and water conservation measures (e.g., Fanya juu) on selected soil physico-chemal properties. A total of 36 composite soil samples from 0–20 cm depth were collected from Uddo Wotate watershed. That is, 27 samples from field treated with Fanya juu (3 farm field*3plot*3samples per plot) and 9 from non-treated adjacent field (3 fields *3 samples per field) were collected and analyzed following standard laboratory procedures. Paired sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze data. The result of the analysis revealed that soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorous (Av.P, ppm), and available potassium(Av.K ppm) differed significantly (p<0.05) between conserved and non-conserved land, but textural composition did not differ significantly (p>0.05). This could be due to the positive effect of conservation measures in reducing erosion. In addition, in the intra- Fanya juu zones clay, sand, Av. K, TN, and SOC were significantly varied (p<0.05). The highest SOC and nutrients were observed at the deposition zone due to the downward movement of organic matter and surface soil and the protection ability of Fanya juu. The physical SWC measures could retain soil properties as compared to non-treated land. Therefore, the deteriorated soil physiochemical properties should be amended by integrating additional soil fertility management practices for better effect.

Keywords: Fanya juu; Nutrients; Physical soil and water conservation; Soil erosion; Soil physicochemical properties

DOI: 10.7176/CER/17-1-02

Publication date: January 31^st 2025