Effects of Area Closure on Selected Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Hidabu Abote District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia

Endale Bedada,Feto Esimo,Alemayehu Muluneh

doi:10.11648/j.jeece.20200501.11

Endale Bedada, Feto Esimo + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeece.20200501.11

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Abstract

This study was conducted at sire moresse area closure, Hidabu abote district, North shewa zone, Oromia Regional State to evaluate the effects of area closure on selected physic-chemical properties of soils. In this study area closure sites were compared with adjacent open grazing land in similar landscape positions for soil fertility buildup. Soil samples were collected from the experimental fields using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement to evaluate selected soil physico- chemical properties. Data analyses were carried out using analysis of variance appropriate to general linear model (GLM). A total of 36 undisturbed and 36 disturbed soil samples were collected from both closed and open grazing land at 10 and 20 cm sampling depths along each slope position with three replication. The result of the study indicated that the mean value of most of soil physical and chemical properties were higher at area closure than adjacent open grazing land and also higher at bottom slope position than middle and upper slope position. The mean of Air filled porosity and Bulk density were lower at both area closure management practices and bottom slope position. Bulk density, Total Porosity, volumetric soil moisture content and saturated hydraulic conductivity at 20 cm sampling depth were shows significantly different with respect to management practices. Similarly, soil chemical properties such as EC, OC, AvP and CEC were shows significantly different with respect to management practices. Soil structure quality, Texture, BD, TP, SMC, EC and TN were shows significantly different under the three slope position. The overall output from the research showed that physical and chemical properties of soil in area closure areas are improving. Area closures act as important sinks of water and reduce soil erosion. From this study it was possible to conclude that area closure improves soil physical and chemical properties.

Highlights

Land degradation is a serious global environmental problem
The results shows that there was a slight variation in soil texture mean value at both sampling depths between treatments across all slope position but statistically there was insignificant difference at p
This might be due to the washing away of the fertile soil from the upper part of the land settling at bottom part of the land

Summary

Introduction

Land degradation is a serious global environmental problem. wide disparity exists on the extent, depth, type and drivers of the problem [20]. The problem of soil degradation in Ethiopia is a wellestablished fact and the apparent soil degradation in the country today can be regarded as a direct result of the past agricultural practices in the high lands. [41] Have confirmed that anthropogenic effects continue to be the causes and driving factors for soil degradation in Ethiopia. Mainly conversion of natural forest to agricultural and grazing lands are known to result in changes in soil chemical, physical and biological properties [25], yet the sign and magnitude of these changes vary with land cover. Unmanaged livestock overgrazing of grass land is one of the most important factors that results in grass land degradation, soil erosion and nutrient losses [55]

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