Effect of land terracing on soil physical properties across slope positions and profile depths in medium and high altitude regions of Rwanda

Fashaho, Aloys; Ndegwa, George M.; Lelei, Joyce J.; Musandu, Amos O; Mwonga, Samuel

doi:10.1080/02571862.2019.1665722

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Field experiments were carried out in lands belonging to farmer's Cooperatives HUGUKA in Gicumbi and GW IZA in Rwamagana Districts during the cropping seasons B 2017 (March to August 2017) and A 2018 (September 2017 to February 2018). Trials were set up in four-year-old terraced Lixisols of medium altitude [1565 m above sea level (a.s.l)] and Acrisols of high altitude (2061 m a.s.l) in eastern (1 56' 42'' S; 30 19' 38'' E) and north eastern (1 37' 56'' S; 304' 31'' E) Rwanda, respectively (Fashaho et al, 2020;Verdoodt and Van Ranst, 2003). Mean annual rainfall received is 950 -1000 mm in medium and 1200 -1500 mm in high altitudes and average annual temperature range is 19 -30C in Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth and Yields in Terraced Lands of... medium altitude and 13.2 -20.8 °C in high altitude (Rwamagana District, 2013;Gicumbi District, 2013).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth and Yields in Terraced Lands of Medium and High Altitude Regions of Rwanda

Fashaho

Musandu

Lelei

et al. 2020

ASD

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Depletion of nitrogen and phosphorus in terraced hilly areas of Rwanda has lowered maize (Zea mays L.) production. Trials were carried out in 2017 and 2018 in four-year-old-terraced Lixisols and Acrisols of medium and high altitudes to determine effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application rates on maize yields. A factorial arrangement of four levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1) and phosphorus (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg P2O5 ha-1) in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications, was used. Results showed that combinations of 120 - 180 kg N ha-1 and 80 - 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 resulted in significantly (P less than 0.05) higher increases in plant height (45 – 60 % and 56 – 70 % over the control), stem collar diameter (63 – 74 % and 43 % over the control) and grain yields (3 times over the control; i.e. 6.40 – 6.46 t ha-1 and 6.02 - 6.12 t ha-1) in medium and high altitude sites. The optimum fertilizer rates are 176.6 kg N ha-1 and 96.2 kg P2O5 ha-1 in terraced Lixisols of medium altitude area. Land use needs to adjust fertilizer application to these optimum rates for enhanced maize yields in this area and other regions with similar agro-ecological characteristics. Further studies on integrated effects of N and P fertilizers are recommended.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth and Yields in Terraced Lands of Medium and High Altitude Regions of Rwanda

Fashaho

Musandu

Lelei

et al. 2020

ASD

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many studies indicate that terracing plays a positive role in soil and water conservation. Compared to the original slope, terracing can significantly reduce sediment and runoff by decreasing slope length and gradient, increasing surface roughness and vertical relief, enlarging the catchment area, and altering the flow direction [17][18][19]. It also enhances infiltration, soil moisture, and soil water-holding capacity [16], resulting in an increase in soil moisture by 4.24% to 12.9% [20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rice Terraces Enhanced the Hydrological Stability of Small Watershed with LUCC—A Case Study of Xinhua Basin

Deng,

Li,

Liu

et al. 2024

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rice terraces are crucial for agriculture in China’s southern mountainous regions. Land use and land cover change (LUCC) in these areas impact hydrology, but our understanding is limited. In this study, we applied the hydrological assessment tool SWAT to a selected small watershed in the rice terrace-dense area of central Hunan province, China. This study covered four LUCC periods over the past 40 years and was simulated at annual and monthly scales. The results showed that from 1980 to 2020, the areas of paddy fields and drylands decreased by 4.19% and 5.76%, respectively, while the areas of forests and construction land increased by 1.14% and 92.48%, respectively. During the past period, LUCC led to a decrease of 1.77% and 2.49% in runoff and infiltration, respectively, and an increase of 1.03% in ET. However, the water yield remained almost unchanged, indicating that the rice terrace plays a positive role in maintaining stable watershed water yield under LUCC. The results of the sub-basin analysis indicated that the transformation of paddy fields and forests directly determines the trend of hydrological changes. Land use type had the most significant impact on the runoff of the rice-terrace watershed, with the proportions of paddy fields and forests being the most influential factors. Paddy fields significantly influenced the stability of runoff at the watershed scale, suggesting that a high paddy field ratio doesn’t ensure sustainability. This study offers valuable insights for managing small watershed terraces, land use planning, and achieving sustainable development in the watershed.

show abstract

“…First, terracing involves transforming steep slopes into a series of relatively flat surfaces, thereby reducing slope length and gradient. This can significantly decrease sediment yield and runoff (Fashaho et al, 2020; Shi et al, 2004). Furthermore, the reshaped slopes weaken erosive forces by reducing both the velocity and total amount of runoff (Chen et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rainfall–runoff process and sediment yield in response to different types of terraces and their characteristics: A case study of runoff plots in Zhangjiachong watershed, China

Meng,

Zhu,

Shi

et al. 2023

Land Degrad Dev

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A field experiment was conducted in the Zhangjiachong watershed to analyze the characteristics of rainfall–runoff process and sediment yield under different types of terraces. Various runoff plots were utilized, and a two serial tank model was employed to simulate runoff generation and concentration processes, taking into account vegetation interception. A soil erosion model incorporating raindrop erosion and sheet erosion was established to replicate sediment yield and concentration process. The parameters of the rainfall–runoff model and soil erosion model were calibrated and validated using observed runoff and sediment yield data. The controlling factors on runoff and sediment yield were explored and compared. The results indicate that both calibration and validation outcomes were acceptable. The earth‐banked terraces–citrus demonstrated the largest coefficients of upper and lower surface runoff, while its upper runoff threshold of the upper tank and the runoff threshold of the lower tank were the lowest, suggesting that it was more likely to produce surface and subsurface runoff. On the other hand, the stone dike terraces–crops exhibited the smallest coefficients of upper and lower surface runoff, while its upper runoff threshold of the upper tank was the highest. The lower runoff threshold of the upper tank was the same across different types of terraces. Compared to the earth‐banked terraces, the stone dike terraces have a larger infiltration coefficient in the upper tank and a smaller infiltration coefficient in the lower tank. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the most sensitive factors affecting runoff simulation results are the runoff threshold and the infiltration coefficient of the lower tank. Terraces, whether constructed with earth banks or stone dikes, are effective in reducing soil erosion. However, during storm rainfall events, these terraces may be partially destroyed, resulting in a higher sediment yield than that of the same vegetation cover on slope land. Terraces with hedgerows have a more significant effect on reducing runoff and sediment than those without hedgerows.

show abstract

Effect of land terracing on soil physical properties across slope positions and profile depths in medium and high altitude regions of Rwanda

Cited by 5 publications

References 6 publications

Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth and Yields in Terraced Lands of Medium and High Altitude Regions of Rwanda

Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth and Yields in Terraced Lands of Medium and High Altitude Regions of Rwanda

Rice Terraces Enhanced the Hydrological Stability of Small Watershed with LUCC—A Case Study of Xinhua Basin

Rainfall–runoff process and sediment yield in response to different types of terraces and their characteristics: A case study of runoff plots in Zhangjiachong watershed, China

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About