Deep Tillage Improves Degraded Soils in the (Sub) Humid Ethiopian Highlands

Abstract

Intensification of rainfed agriculture in the Ethiopian highlands has resulted in soil degradation and hardpan formation, which has reduced rooting depth, decreased deep percolation, and increased direct runoff and sediment transport. The main objective of this study was to assess the potential impact of subsoiling on surface runoff, sediment loss, soil water content, infiltration rate, and maize yield. Three tillage treatments were replicated at five locations: (i) no tillage (zero tillage), (ii) conventional tillage (ox-driven Maresha plow, up to a depth of 15 cm), and (iii) manual deep ripping of the soil's restrictive layers down to a depth of 60 cm (deep till). Results show that the posttreatment bulk density and penetration resistance of deep tillage was significantly less than in the traditional tillage and zero-tillage systems. In addition, the posttreatment infiltration rate for deep tillage was significantly greater, which resulted in significantly smaller runoff and sedimentation rates compared to conventional tillage and zero tillage. Maize yields were improved by 6% under deep tillage compared to conventional tillage and by 29% compared to no tillage. Overall, our findings show that deep tillage can be effective in overcoming some of the detrimental effects of hardpans in degraded soils.

Hydrologic Connectivity and Flow Generation from California Vernal Pool, Swale, and Headwater Stream Complexes to Downstream Waters

“…Therefore, to allow production of these crops, soils are first prepared by deep ripping, in which deep working tines are pulled behind heavy equipment to mechanically break up and shatter the slowly permeable horizons, typically including the duripan. This tillage treatment then increases the depth of both water infiltration and root penetration into the subsurface (Hussein et al 2019). Though data are sparse, deep ripping is specifically designed to have profound and immediate effects on the patterns and rates of the downward movement of water and water storage in ripped soil profiles.…”

Preharvest and postharvest management practices related to mycotoxin contamination in maize in Ethiopia – a review

“…For this purpose, most farmers in the North Eastern part of the country own at least one oxen (Derese et al, 2017). By using the 'maresha' and plough method, the topsoil layer can be ploughed to a depth of 0 to 15 cm (Biazin et al, 2011;Hussein et al, 2019;Sime et al, 2015). This depth of tillage belongs to the minimum tillage category of less than 20 cm depth (Arino et al, 2009).…”

“…Despite the unavailability of information on the relationship of 'maresha' and ploughing method with mycotoxin contamination in Ethiopia, it seems that this method favours mycotoxin contamination. First, when using this method, the topsoil layer can be inverted to about 15 cm depth so only minimum tillage is possible (Biazin et al, 2011;Hussein et al, 2019;Sime et al, 2015). At this depth, important fungal growth simulating factors (nutrient and oxygen) are commonly available, which make fungal proliferation possible (Nesci et al, 2006).…”

Phosphorus Export From Two Contrasting Rural Watersheds in the (Sub) Humid Ethiopian Highlands

“…The soil layer over bedrock thickness increases from the bottom to the upper part of the watershed (David Walker et al, 2018). In Robit Bata, Vertisols are predominantly found in the lowland areas, and Eutric Nitosols in the upper part of the watershed (Abidela Hussein et al, 2019). Deep soils are located around the middle slope and decline in depth downslope and upslope.…”