​Assessment of Soil and Water Conservation Practices and its Implication on Soil Physicochemical Properties, at West Guji Zone, Gelana Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Land degradation is one of the major challenges in developing nations like Ethiopia. The study was conducted on both conserved and non-conserved land. A total of 18 composite soil samples were collected from the top 0-20 cm soil depths to analyze the selected physical and chemical properties of soil. Methods: For data analysis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. From our observation soil and water conservation practice which is found in our study area was soil cut-off drains, waterways, bunds and bench terrace and also traditionally they use horizontal plough, land rotation, crop rotation and mulching soil management. Result: The results revealed that soil chemical and physical properties: soil organic matter, available phosphorous, soil pH, cation exchange capacity, bulk density and soil moisture shows significant difference between conserved and non-conserved lands. However soil texture and total nitrogen shows no significant difference. The non-conserved land had low organic matter, Cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, soil moisture and with highest bulk density. Further research is recommended to study the magnitude of the effects and a better understanding of sustainable soil and water conservation practices.