Effects of Soil Bund and Stone-Faced Soil Bund on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Crop Yield Under Rain-Fed Conditions of Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Research-based evidence on the effects of soil and water conservation practices (SWCPs) on soil physicochemical properties and crop yield is vital either to adopt the practices or design alternative land management strategies. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of about 10-year-old soil bund (SB) and stone-faced soil bund (SFSB) structures on selected soil physicochemical properties, slope gradient, barley grain yield, and yield components in the Lole watershed, in the northwest highlands of Ethiopia. The experiment consisted of three treatments: (i) fields treated with SB, (ii) fields treated with SFSB, and (iii) fields without conservation practices (control) with three replications at three slope classes. A total of 27 composite soil samples from 0 to 20 cm depth and barley grain yield samples from 27 locations were collected. The soil samples were analyzed for bulk density, soil texture, porosity, soil reaction, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, and potassium. Barley grain yield was analyzed using different agronomic parameters. The result indicated that SB and SFSB positively influenced the physicochemical properties of soils and barley grain yield. The interslope gradient between the successive SBs and SFSBs was reducing. Moreover, the untreated fields showed significantly lower barley grain yield, plant height, and straw biomass. Hence, SB and SFSB practices were found to be effective in changing slope gradient, improving soil fertility, and increasing crop yield. Therefore, this finding is vital to create awareness and convince farmers to construct SWCPs on their farmlands for sustainable land management.

Effect of Changes in Land-Use Management Practices on Soil Physicochemical Properties in Kabe Watershed, Ethiopia

“…In addition, a research-based evidence on the effects of SWC practices on soil physicochemical properties in the northwest highlands of Ethiopia 59 indicated that SWC practices tended to increase soil fertility and most of the soil chemical properties showed relative change with landscape positions. Guadie et al 59 highlighted that raising awareness and convincing farmers toward SWC practice is essential for future sustainable land management. Other studies conducted to assess variations in soil properties under different LUTs in southern Ethiopia 60 supported our finding and indicated that change in LUT, slope category, and management practice significantly affected soil textural fraction (silt, sand, and clay), soil pH, EC, OC, bulk density, and TN.…”

“…In addition, a research-based evidence on the effects of SWC practices on soil physicochemical properties in the northwest highlands of Ethiopia 59 indicated that SWC practices tended to increase soil fertility and most of the soil chemical properties showed relative change with landscape positions. Guadie et al 59 highlighted that raising awareness and convincing farmers toward SWC practice is essential for future sustainable land management.…”

The 3Ps (Profit, Planet, and People) of Sustainability amidst Climate Change: A South African Grape and Wine Perspective

“…Consequently, this leads to a loss of soil fertility, soil quality, and loss of ecosystem services [120]. It should be noted, however, that extensive soil loss is not limited to vineyards; different authors have reported similar problems in various other crops [121][122][123][124]. Research has suggested that soil loss in vineyards is above the level that amounts to tolerable soil loss, less so for older vineyards with more organic matter content and higher bulk density in relation to younger vineyards [125] Moreover, accurately measuring soil loss in vineyards is fraught with difficulties, because different methodologies available tend to give different results.…”

“Rambo root” to the rescue: How a simple, low‐cost solution can lead to multiple sustainable development gains

“…Rotating or intercropping cassava with catch crops, including legumes that can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, can further mitigate soil erosion (Cerdà, Rodrigo‐Comino, Giménez‐Morera, Novara, et al, 2018; Cerdà, Rodrigo‐Comino, Novara, Brevik, et al, 2018; Cerdà, Rodrigo‐Comino, Giménez‐Morera, & Keesstra, 2018). These catch crops will produce biomass that turns into residues or mulch, which protects the soil from water erosion, helps sequester soil carbon and retain nutrients, promotes topsoil aggregation, enhances infiltration and restores soil health (Cerdà, Rodrigo‐Comino, Giménez‐Morera, Novara, et al, 2018; Guadie, Molla, Mekonnen, & Cerdà, 2020; Keesstra et al, 2018; Rodrigo‐Comino et al, 2019). Over time, the land will become fertile and allow for planting trees, such as cacao.…”