Abstract
Mono cropping is the dominant factor influencing plant nutrient uptake and loss of soil quality in Ethiopia whereas intercropping of cereal/legume has positive environmental qualities. Likewise drought and moisture stress condition is widely expanding from all direction to the center of the country. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate influence of planting methods, tied ridge and cropping system on different soil chemical properties in case of Madda Walabu district, Southeast Ethiopia. It was undertaken at Bidire from March 2016 to January, 2017. In this experiment, one maize variety (Melkassa 2) and one haricot bean variety (Nasir) were used. Treatments include open end and closed end tied ridge; sole cropping and intercropping; and in furrow, on ridge and flat bed planting. Each treatment has been triplicate and the experiment plots were laid out in randomized complete block design. Intercropping of maize-haricot bean with tied ridge and planting methods were highly influenced soil pH, exchangeable potassium, available phosphorous, soil organic matter and total soil nitrogen. Generally, the use of intercropping and closed end tied ridge in combination with in furrow planting significantly increased (p0.05) soil fertility in the system, which could be promising for sustainable improvement of crop production and productivity for semi arid areas of Bale zone.
Highlights
Soil degradation is expressed in quality and quantity of soil nutrients, physical and biological soil characteristics which is linked to stagnation and decline in yields in the most intensive agriculture [1]
The maximum mean of soil pH was observed before planting at sole haricotbean with flat bed whereas the minimum soil pH were observed after planting of maize-haricot bean intercropping with closed end tied ridge and in furrow planting
The highest amount of soil organic matter (9.06%) was observed after planting; under maize-haricotbean intercropping with closed end tied ridge and in furrow planting whereas the minimum (4.27%) were observed before planting at sole maize planting on flat bed (Table 1)
Summary
Soil degradation is expressed in quality and quantity of soil nutrients, physical and biological soil characteristics which is linked to stagnation and decline in yields in the most intensive agriculture [1] The decline in these soil properties is interconnected to the improper use of inorganic fertilizer and lack of organic fertilization, practices that are widespread in the most intensive agriculture in developing countries [2]. Further studies by [5] indicated that failure by smallholder farmers in Bale zone of Oromia region to implement intercropping system and lack of plant nutrients due continuous mono cropping nutrients uptake, nutrients leaching and soil erosion are the principal causes of low agricultural productivity and food insecurity in Ethiopia
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
