Jornal de Ciências Agrícolas e Pesquisa de Alimentos
Acesso livre

Abstrato

Effects of Soil and Water Conservation Measures and Soil Depths on Selected Soil Physico-Chemical Properties at Asera Watershed, Northern Ethiopia

Alemtsehay Hagos*, Kehali Jembere, Tesfaye Feyisa

In Ethiopia, agriculture is expanding onto the most erosion sensitive sites. To protect these sites, the government widely implemented Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) measures. However, the effects of these measures on soil physicochemical properties are not well investigated and documented in most watersheds. This study was conducted in Asera watershed, to investigate the effects of soil and water conservation measures on selected soil physicochemical properties along soil depths on adjacent cultivated lands. The experimental design was randomized complete block design. The treatments considered four soil and water conservation measures (Stone-Faced soil bund (SF), soil bund stabilized with Besom Grasses (BG), Soil Bund (SB) and un-Conserved Croplands (C)) and three soil depths (0-15 cm, 16-30 cm and 31-45 cm) in factorial combinations, with three replications. The results showed that soil texture, Soil Moisture Content (SMC), soil ph, cec, total N, available P, and available K were significantly affected by swc measures. Soil organic matter, CLAY, smc, bulk density, and total N were significantly affected by soil depth. Except available K, cec, bulk density, and smc the other soil properties showed decreasing trend down the profile. Although soil properties were improved due to conservation measures, most are by far below the critical levels. Therefore, further improvement of the organic matter and introduction of integrated soil and water conservation measures, which could reduce the soil loss and sustainably improve soil production, fertility and the livelihood of the smallholders are recommended.