The Role of Soil Bunds Construction in Improving Soil Fertility In Jarso District, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

To minimize severe soil erosion ,Physical soil and water conservation practices are being implemented by community campaign, NGOs and individually by farmers in Ethiopia, because it was resulting in reduction of crop production. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the role of physical SWC practices mainly soil bund in improving soil fertility. 18 Soil sample were taken from purposively selected four years, two years and non-conserved field. To analyze the collected data; SPSS V.21 and SAS (9.1 Version) were used both for descriptive and inferential data analysis. The study Results showed that significant relationship ( p < 0.05) was found between the plot relative to the soil bund and levels of pH, Available phosphorus,(P-av),Available Potassium(K av),Cation Exchange Capacity(CEC),Elictrical Conductivity(EC,Ntot) and SOC,SOM and Exchangeable bases(Mg,Na,Ca,) which are higher in conserved land which improve soil fertility status of the study area. From the study it was concluded that the conservation practices age have significant effects on selected soil fertilities. As the age of soil bund increase, fertility gain shown increment. The un-expected out come in this study is that available phosphorus showed no significant difference between two years and four years conserved farmland with soil bund. To realize sustainable development goals, it needs integrated planning, selecting the desired SWC structures, implementing and maintaining of soil conservation measures to save its consequence on the life of community .

Dynamics of soil quality in a conserved landscape in the highland sub humid ecosystem, Northwestern Ethiopia

“…The findings of Noorbakhsh et al (2008) also reported significant differences in available K among landscapes which increased downslope. The significantly higher K and Na were observed on plots with soil and stone-faced soil bunds and this result is consistent with the reports of Amare et al (2013) and Taye et al (2022), which clarified the accumulation of soluble bases in conserved fields.…”

“…The lower mean bulk density and higher total implied from higher improvement in soil organic matter after the implementation of SWCP. Siraw et al (2020) and Taye et al (2022) revealed parallel findings in conserved watersheds in Ethiopia, which were generally ascribed to reduced slope gradients, slower runoff, and improved sediment and soil organic matter settlement. These innovations have an agreement with the present study described that SWCP accumulates soil organic matter and lower bulk density.…”