Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of physical soil and water conservation (SWC) structures and slope gradients on soil properties and to identify factors affecting farmer’s adoption of the SWC practices. Cropland treated with level soil bund, fanya juu, and adjacent cropland without conservation structures were considered along the three slope gradients. A total of 27 soil samples were collected from the top 20 cm soil depth in ‘X’ design square plot with a length of 10m x 10m and replicated three times. A total of 120 households (HH) were randomly selected among which 48.3% were adopters and 51.7% were non-adopters of SWC structures. The collected soil samples were analyzed following standard laboratory procedures and a total of 10 variables were fitted in the logistic regression model. The result of the analysis revealed that sand fraction (%), SOC (%), TN (%), CEC (meq/100gm), and pH (H2O) were showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences between cropland treated with conservation structures and control plots; however, available P (ppm) did not show significant (P ≤ 0.05) variation. With regard to slope gradient, soil textural fractions sand (%), Silt (%) and Clay (%), and CEC (meq/100gm) were showed significant difference (P ≤ 0.05). While BD (g cm-3), SMC (%), SOC (%), TN (%), and available P (ppm) did not significantly differ along the slope. The result of the model also showed that the explanatory variables; age, education level, family size, landholding, farm experience, availability of labor shortage, and extension service were significantly affected the adoption of SWC practices by the farmers. On the other hand; sex, marital status, and livestock holding were not significantly affected farmers’ adoption of SWC practice. Therefore, scaling up of the soil bund for the area is necessary and building capacity, providing training and experience-sharing through field days for farmers is essential. Moreover, further investigation is encouraged on the integrated effect of physical and biological SWC practice and its socioeconomic aspects for a better understanding of the effect of sustainable use of the land.
Highlights
Soil erosion is a serious problem in Ethiopia [1]
The variation in sand content might be due to inherent soil property derived from the parent material since soil texture is not affected by conservation measures within such a short period of time
Sand content and clay content (%) was showed a significant difference under gentle slope than a middle and steep slope, while silt content (%) was demonstrated a significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference between gentle and steep slope [Table 2]. This result was in line with the finding of [30] who reported soil textural fractions sand, silt and clay (%) showed significant difference with regard to slope gradient on the study conducted at Gondar zuria district
Summary
Deforestation, population growth, overgrazing, and the use of marginal lands, topography, soil type, and the intensification of agriculture production are some of the causes of soil erosion [2]. Various studies conducted revealed that annual soil loss shows spatial and temporal variations, even if the average annual soil loss of the country estimated to be 12 tons ha-1yr-1 [3]. American Journal of Environmental Protection 2020; 9(5): 102-115 land degradation due to soil erosion and associated soil nutrient depletion, are the major cause of the decline of agricultural production in Ethiopia [7]. Soil erosion leads to soil organic carbon loss along with the transported soil sediment [8]. The loss of soil organic carbon results in the decreased crop production potential of the soil [9]
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