Soil Conservation Techniques Research Articles

Environmental diagnostics in areas with high potential fragility in the Federal District, Brazil

This study aimed to conduct environmental diagnostics of areas with high potential environmental fragility in the Federal District, Brazil. Reclassified thematic maps of soil slope and vulnerability to water erosion were combined to create the soil susceptibility map to water erosion, which, in turn, was combined with the thematic maps of soil use and rain erosivity. The result was then reclassified, giving rise to the potential environmental fragility map. In the places identified with high potential environmental fragility, information was collected by observing the aspects of the physical, biotic, and anthropogenic environmental components of the landscape. Areas with high potential environmental fragility in the Federal District were found. In those locations, the uses and occupations of the soil observed were intensive farming, small rural activities, managed intensive livestock and degraded intensive livestock. Land use and occupation in areas with high potential environmental fragility of the Federal District, with “degraded intensive livestock”, make such sites environmentally fragile since there is a scarcity of non-preserved natural areas and there is no soil conservation method. It was concluded that, for the use and occupation of the soil with high potential environmental fragility areas in the Federal District, which are taken by intensive farming, small rural activities, and managed intensive livestock, the conservation of the natural areas and the vegetative and mechanical soil conservation techniques must be implemented.

Analysis of the impact of land tenure security on agricultural productivity in Burkina Faso

This article analyses the causal link between secured land property rights and farm productivity through investment channels using data from the 2011/2012 agricultural season provided by the ministry in charge of agriculture. The productivity is estimated from a stochastic production frontier, and an appropriate interval regression model is used to deal with endogeneity. We found that cereal producers have an average level of technical efficiency (TE) of approximately 0.37 units. This productivity can be improved by 0.17 units if the plots are secure. The results also revealed that multicropping, access to credit and water and soil conservation techniques are factors that have positive effects on producers' TE. However, the producers' TE is negatively affected by the quality of the seed.

Working from the ground up: Prosperity for farmers in Soroti District starts in the soil

AbstractAgriculture in much of Uganda is struggling, especially in Soroti District. Many of the issues are linked to the poor soils that are present in this region. Farmers in Soroti District will need to adopt various soil conservation techniques and practices to improve their soils over time and increase production.

Everyday adaptation practices by coffee farmers in three mountain regions in Africa

Mountain environments in East Africa experience more rapid increases in temperature than lower elevations, which, together with changing rainfall patterns, often negatively affect coffee production. However, little is known about the adaptation strategies used by smallholder coffee farmers in Africa. Using the lens of everyday adaptation, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 450 smallholder farmers living near the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia (n = 150), Mount Kenya in Kenya (n = 150), and Kigezi Highlands in Uganda (n = 150). We report similarities in adaptation strategies used (e.g., increased use of improved seeds, inputs, soil-conservation techniques) but also differences across and within regions (e.g., irrigation, coffee-farming abandonment), related to different biophysical, economic, and sociocultural factors. In all regions, access to land, funds, and limited mutual-learning opportunities between farmers and other agents of change constrained further adaptation options. Local people have capacity and means to determine how best they can adapt to climate change, and government agencies and NGOs could implement more participatory engagement with smallholder coffee farmers, attuned to the opportunities and constraints in everyday life to facilitate adaptation to predicted changes in climate.

GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Evaluation to Identify Areas for Soil and Water Conservation in Lower Lake Bogoria Landscapes, Baringo County, Kenya

This study was meant to ensure that there is proper and efficient conservation of soil and water using geospatial tools to enable us identify priority areas to carry out conservation. Over the past years, various fields of study have established how critical it is to conserve these natural resources in the ecosystem and to ensure sustainability in not only green livelihoods but also to enhance living conditions of the life on earth. The aim of this research was to generate high priority sites for establishing soil and water conservation techniques in the Lower Bogoria Landscapes in Baringo, Kenya using GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis. Various criteria were analyzed to generate the final conservation priority sites, such as land use land cover, rainfall runoff, soil erosion and slope. The criteria were assigned weights using the AHP technique and overlayed using the weighted overlay tools to produce the final outputs. Land use land cover maps were generated using supervised maximum likelihood technique, rainfall run-off maps were generated using the SCS-CN method and soil erosion maps were generated using RUSLE model. The final soil and water conservation maps showed that high and moderate priority areas requiring the establishment of techniques and mechanisms to control soil erosion and conserve water increased from 1990 to 2020. In 2020, more than 50% of the total study area was classified as moderate to high priority for water and soil conservation. Soil and water conservation structures such as water pans, percolation tanks, farm ponds and stop dams should be constructed in such areas.

SOIL CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES AND PRODUCTIVITY OF ARABLE CROP FARMERS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined soil conservation techniques and its effect on productivity of arable crop farmers in Kogi state, Nigeria. Data were collected from 184 farmers using three stage sampling technique. Data analyses were carried out using descriptive statistics, Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and regression analysis. Result shows that the soil conservation technique prevalent in the area was application of inorganic fertilizer. About 36.4% of the sampled household heads have productivity value above average across all the soil conservation categories (productive). Result also reveals that age (-1.801), household size (-0.310) and access to credit (-0.056) impacted arable crop farmers negatively while alley cropping (0.357), crop rotation (0.380), application of inorganic fertilizer (0.503), mulching (0.560) and organic manure (0.373) positively impacted arable farmers’ productivity. The study concludes that soil conservation techniques are productivity enhancer. Promoting sustainable conservation techniques that are farm or farmer specific is recommended.
 

Diseminasi Teknologi Konservasi Tanah Pada Budidaya Tanaman Sayur Di Lahan Berlereng Di Kabupaten Majalengka

Dissemination of soil conservatioan technology in vegetable cultivation on slope in Majalengka. Degradation of agricultural land in the highlands by soil erosion disaster in vegetable cultivation is caused by land management systems without proper soil conservation techniques. Erosion of land by erosion causes a number of nutrients to be carried away resulting in inefficiency in the use of fertilizers. Meanwhile, the dissemination of information on soil conservation as an effort to prevent these threats has not been disseminated optimally. The behavior of farmers who tend not to pay attention to the balance of the ecosystem is due to the fact that information about conservation technology is not well understood. This study aims to determine the factors that influence the behavior of vegetable farmers in the application of soil conservation techniques on sloping land. The research was conducted in Argapura District with a distribution of three villages, namely Argalingga, Argamukti and Sukasari Kidul villages. The method of analysis used multiple linear regression. The results of the analysis show that the length of farming, external factors and the dissemination process have a significant effect on the dissemination of soil conservation technology in vegetable cultivation on sloped land.

Soil and Water Conservation Techniques Based Land Degradation Neutrality: A Need-Based Solution for Degraded Lands in Indian Perspective

Soil and Water Conservation Techniques Based Land Degradation Neutrality: A Need-Based Solution for Degraded Lands in Indian Perspective

Climate Change Perception and Uptake of Climate-Smart Agriculture in Rice Production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Rice production in Nigeria is vulnerable to climate risks and rice farmers over time have experienced the risks and their respective impacts on rice farming. Rice farmers have also responded to perceived climate risks with strategies believed to be climate-smart. Farmers’ perception of climate risks is an important first step of determining any action to be taken to counteract the negative effects of climate change on agriculture. Studies on the link between perceived climate risks and farmers’ response strategies are increasing. However, there are limited studies on the determinants of rice farmers’ perception of climate events. The paper therefore examined climate change perception and uptake of climate-smart agriculture in rice production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria using cross-sectional data from 347 rice farmers in an important rice-producing area in Nigeria. Principal component analysis, multivariate probit regression model and descriptive statistics were adopted for data analysis. Perceived climate events include increased rainfall intensity, prolonged dry seasons, frequent floods, rising temperature, severe windstorms, unpredictable rainfall pattern and distribution, late onset rain, and early cessation of rain. Farmers’ socioeconomic, farm and institutional characteristics influenced their perception of climate change. Additionally, rice farmers used a variety of climate-smart practices and technologies to respond to the perceived climate events. Such climate-smart practices include planting improved rice varieties, insurance, planting different crops, livelihood diversification, soil and water conservation techniques, adjusting planting and harvesting dates, irrigation, reliance on climate information and forecasts, planting on the nursery, appropriate application of fertilizer and efficient and effective use of pesticides. These climate-smart agricultural measures were further delineated into five broad packages using principal component analysis. These packages include crop and land management practices, climate-based services and irrigation, livelihood diversification and soil fertility management, efficient and effective use of pesticide and planting on the nursery. High fertilizer costs, lack of access to inputs, insufficient land, insufficient capital, pests and diseases, floods, scorching sun, high labour cost, insufficient climate information, and poor extension services were the barriers to uptake of climate-smart agriculture in rice production. Rice farmers should be supported to implement climate-smart agriculture in rice production in order to achieve the objectives of increased rice productivity and income, food security, climate resilience and mitigation.

Analysis of soil and water conservation practices by community throughout the Upper Citarum River Watershed: motivational, technical and institutional aspects

Forest degradation in the Upper Citarum Watershed requires an approach to changing farming patterns that applies techniques of soil and water conservation. The objective of the paper is to examine the extent to which the community in the Upper Citarum Watershed has practiced soil and water conservation techniques in its farming practices, as well as institutional support and community motivation in the application of the conservation practices. This study used a survey of 499 farmers to collect data in Bandung and West Bandung districts. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic analysis. Results of the study indicate that the soil and water conservation practices have been implemented by 45% of the farm household. The households practicing conservation techniques have higher revenue compared to those who not practicing. The sources of information that households learned come from fellow local farmers, while the most reasons motivating households to practice soil and water conservations are to prevent erosion and improve water supply. The local Agriculture and Forestry Service Offices and Watershed Agency are the dominant sources of assistance with the form of assistance are either materials or training. This study recommends improving spatial planning, providing market incentives and assistance, and supporting the agroforestry system.

Identify of soil and water conservation techniques in village forest of Tompobulu District Bantaeng Regency

Soil and Water Conservation is an effort to protect, rehabilitate, improve and maintain the function of land soil in accord to the ability and land allocation land to support the sustainable development and sustainable living. This research aims to identify and assess the proper use of soil and water conservation techniques applied by farmers in the village forest of Tompobulu District, Bantaeng Regency. It was on the assessment guidelines for soil and water conservation techniques. This research is expected to be used as an essential substance in the government of Tompobulu District, Bantaeng Regency, which is a forest village to give the information of activities of farmers to apply a good soil and water conservation techniques. This research was conducted for four months started from May to September 2019. This research used observation methods, such as the form of surveys and interviews with farmers who apply soil and water conservation techniques. Vegetative techniques applied in the form of ground cover plants, mixed gardens, and gardens, while mechanical techniques in the form of land management, bench terraces, and irrigation. The presentation of soil and water conservation techniques was 71.3% good, 4.7% rather good, and 24% not excellent.

Feeding the world in a narrowing safe operating space

Feeding the world in a narrowing safe operating space

Functional root trait‐based classification of cover crops to improve soil physical properties

AbstractCover crop use is a well‐established soil conservation technique and has been proven effective for erosion control and soil remediation in many arable systems. Whereas the obvious protection mechanism of cover crops occurs through the canopy, plant roots perform multiple functions. It is important to consider the soil functions delivered by different root systems in order to increase the uptake of cover crops for sustainable soil and water management. A classification of cover crop root systems up to 0.6 m deep based on functional traits will allow us to better study their potential role in soil bio‐engineering, soil structural improvements for hydrological services and soil resource protection. This was a glasshouse experiment, using large 1‐m3 containers filled with loam soil, loose topsoil and compacted subsoil, in which seven cover crop species (oat, rye, buckwheat, vetch, radish, mustard, phacelia) were grown for 90 days. Root cores were taken at the end of the experiment, washed and imaged to determine root traits (total root length density, average root diameter, root specific length and root surface area) for both the topsoil and subsoil layers. Root identity was determined from a distinctive combination of single root traits and related to three soil functional variables, representing soil structural improvement, runoff mitigation and erosion control. The results showed that total root length and root surface area correlate well with aggregate stability and soil macroporosity. Buckwheat, mustard and rye had significantly greater aggregate stability, as well as 10, 8 and 7% greater microporosity, respectively, at the interface with the compacted layer when compared to the control bare soil. Furthermore, average root diameter negatively correlated with soil macroporosity, indicating that cover crops with a fine root system are more beneficial for creating pore‐space than those with thicker taproots. Selecting cover crop species with the right root traits is therefore crucial to improve soil health.Highlights Roots of cover crops are a largely unexplored frontier for bio‐engineering of agricultural soils. Combinations of root traits were identified that most improve soil characteristics. Cover crops with finer root systems were better at enhancing porosity. Root length and surface area were most important for enhancing soil structure.

Farmers' choices of climate-resilient strategies: Evidence from Vietnam

Farmers have a long history of adapting to changing conditions, including changing climate, towards more sustainable agricultural production. In this study, we construct a unique long-duration pseudo-panel dataset from nationally representative households in Vietnam to investigate factors behind farmer's choices to adopt soil and water conservation techniques to adapt to climatic change. Since farmers' adoption decisions are inherently dynamic, a dynamic probit model was estimated. We find that weather shocks and long-run changes in temperature are significant determinants of farmers' choices. The decision to make new investments in adaptation practices in subsequent periods is confirmed to be strongly influenced by the past adoption decision. Farmer's experience, farm size, and access to weather and output price information are also associated with households that apply conservation measures. These findings suggest that policies aiming at promoting climate-resilient strategies should pay attention to farmers' adaptation behavior and the persistence of choices in farmers' decision-making processes. Policies should target improving farmers' access to information with a special focus on market- and weather-related information to enhance farmers' adaptive capacity to better cope with ongoing climatic uncertainty.

Vulnerability of community to climate stress: An indicator-based investigation of Upper Gana watershed in Omo Gibe basin in Ethiopia

The frequency and intensity of extreme climate events such as heavy rainfall and droughts are expected to increase with climate change and are predicted to severely affect the agriculture sector. However, drought vulnerability of rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa is not well documented, despite these communities being composed of mainly smallholder farmers whose livelihoods depend on rainfed agriculture. In this study, we evaluated the vulnerability of a rural community in Ethiopia to drought using both primary and secondary data. The primary data was generated from a household survey, whereas the secondary data was obtained from the National Meteorology Agency of Ethiopia and Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation (CHIRP) product. We decomposed vulnerability in to three components which are exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to drought based on indices derived from the primary and secondary data. Results show that the average score for exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity is nearly equal. High seasonal water variability coupled with severe, frequent, and long drought status increases exposure to drought in the study area. The main factor which affects sensitivity to drought in this community is the land cover. For adaptive capacity, the social capital of the community is low while their physical capital is high. The overall estimated drought vulnerability shows that the community is moderately vulnerable. The community's exposure and sensitivity analyses show the need to increase the amount of moisture stored within the soil with the adoption of appropriate soil and water conservation techniques. Results also show that the head of the household's educational level, the number of livestock owned, and annual income affect the community's adaptive capacity.

Temporal variation of precipitation and flow in 16 mountainous sub-basins of the Manhuaçu River

The objective of this study was to evaluate the temporal variation of precipitation and flow of several sub-basins of the Manhuaçu River-MG and to define which would need application of techniques that favor water infiltration into the soil. The study was conducted upstream the municipality of Manhuaçu, where the morphometric characterization was carried out in 23 sub-basins; land use classification through LandSat 8 OLI scenes; reference flow of 16 sub-basins was evaluated over 14 months, between May 2018 to July 2019; precipitation was measured by using four local rain gauges. The basin has cover predominance of coffee, 31.06%. Among evaluated sub-basins, those with the greatest temporal variation of flow were the Córrego Fundo, Córrego Palmital, Córrego Manhuaçuzinho, and Córrego São Sebastião. The Manhuaçu River basin has a large temporal variation flow, with a marked reduction during the winter and a high elevation during the period of intense rains, requiring soil and water conservation techniques to promote the regulation of watercourses, thus reducing floods in Manhuaçu.

Determinants of reactive adaptations to climate change in semi-arid region of Pakistan

This study covers the methodological gap in determining adoption of adaptation strategies towards changing climate by farmers, in semi-arid region of Pakistan. By considering significance as well as scale of adoption, the study derived an adaptation index and studied determinants and barriers affecting successful adoption of different adaptation strategies, mainly by conducting Focal Group Discussion (FGD), experts’ interviews and household survey. Based on survey from 200 rice growers of Pakistan, the adaptations identified include elevated rates of irrigation, on-farm storage, alteration in fertilizer rates, weather forecasting and soil conservation techniques. Further, influence of different socioeconomic factors on adoption of adaptations is unraveled by using multiple linear regression approach. Results reveal the impact of farming experience, education of farmer, family size, access to credit, involvement in non-farm activities, belief on climate change and relevant adaptations is significant on adoption of adaptations. It suggests that implementation policies for adaptations should be revised, by considering vital role of these socioeconomic characteristics as well as local level actions of farmers.

Agricultural soil reclamation and restoration of soil organic matter and nutrients via application of organic, inorganic and bio fertilization (Mini review)

Food security is directly related to the ability of the land to support the population. Causes for land degradation are numerous and include the decline of soil fertility, development of acidity, salinization, alkalization, deterioration of soil structure, accelerated wind and water erosion, loss of organic matter and biodiversity. Thereafter, it is of critical importance to increase soil health and restore degraded soils in order to achieve sustainable development. Restoring the soil quality for crop production through the appropriate soil management and conservation techniques is important for all nations, primarily those at risk with respect to food security. Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a central role in maintaining soil functions and preventing soil degradation. Both organic matter and microorganism serve as a reservoir of plant nutrients. This study concluded that soil organic carbon and other mineral and nutrients restoration were noted with the soil modification and incorporation of various organic amendments. Plant residues and field biomass were promising for nutrients replenishment while biochar was the key component for the enrichment of soil organic carbon. Animal-based residues and manure application enhanced soil mineral and micronutrients concentration with the advantage of soil reclamation and restoration.

Evaluation and Selection of Different Physical Soil and Water Conservation Techniques for Early Mature Sorghum Root Zone Moisture Retention at Harari Regional State, Erer Research Station

The experiment was conducted at Babille district, during 2018 and 2019 main cropping season at Erer Research Station. Erer research sub site is located latitude of 09 o 10' 41.5 north and longitude of 042 o 15' 27.3.The objectives of the experiments were to evaluate and select best methods of root zone moisture retention and soil conservation techniques suited for early mature sorghum .The treatments of experiments were, Control (no soil and water conservation measures), open ended tied ridge, level soil bund, contour furrow, closed ended tied ridge, Broad bed, Semi-circular and mulch respectively . The design of the experiment was RCBD with three replication. Genstats 18 th editions was used for data Analysis. Statistically there is highly significant variation among the treatments in terms of all parameters at 5% significance level across three planting years. First year, the highest plant height was obtained from the treatment with Broad bed followed by closed ended tied ridge. On other hand, the lowest plant height was recorded from the treatments with soil bund followed by control (no conservation structure). This is because of no more top fertile soil disturbance during first year. During the second and third planting year, the highest, plant height (132.86cm) and the longest panicle diameter (6.5) was recorded, from the treatments with open ended tied ridge, followed by soil bund and contour furrow respectively. That was because of soil and water conservation (swc) structures design and the extra moisture harvested in those structure than rest treatments. The highest grain yield was obtained from the mulch followed by open ended tied ridge treatment during first year. This is because of no and slight top soil disturbance during the construction stage. During the third year, the maximum grain yield was obtained from contour furrow followed by open ended tied ridge (2130.9 and 2000) kg ha -1 ) respectively. The lowest grain yield was obtained from no conservation measures followed by mulching (1125 and 1232.1 kg ha -1 ). The most probable reason for this variation could be due to the amount of the moisture harvested in the root zone of sorghum because of conservation structure. So contour furrow and open ended tied ridges are suitable swc measures for the area. Keywords: swc- physical soil and water conservation, sorghum, moisture. DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/108-06 Publication date: May 31 st 2021

Mobilization and transport of pesticides with runoff and suspended sediment during flooding events in an agricultural catchment of Southern Brazil

Brazil is one of the largest consumers of pesticides in the world, and these chemicals present a high contamination risk for the country's water bodies. The mechanisms of mobilization and transport of pesticides from cropland to river systems are controlled by runoff and erosion processes occurring at the catchment scale. In addition to the excessive use of pesticides, the transport processes of these substances are also accelerated by inadequate soil management and the absence of soil conservation measures at the catchment scale. The current research relied on hydrological monitoring to investigate the transport and persistence of pesticides in response to hydrological dynamics. The study was conducted in the Conceição River watershed where runoff and suspended sediment fluxes are continuously monitored at the outlet. This study area is representative of the grain production system in southern Brazil including the application of large amounts of pesticides combined with extensive runoff and erosion problems. Sample collection in the river for pesticide analysis included the analysis of both water and suspended sediment. The sediment deposit analysis was performed in a single location at 4 depths. Results demonstrate the occurrence of pesticides including simazine, 2,4-D, carbendazim, imidacloprid, tebuconazole, propiconazole, tetraconazole, and trifloxystrobin in water, while glyphosate and AMPA were detected in suspended sediments, and AMPA and carbendazim were found in sediment deposits. The study demonstrated the strong dependence of the mechanisms of pesticide mobilization and transport in the catchment with the intra- and interevent variability of hydro-sedimentary processes. Pesticide detections can be related to several factors, including the magnitude of the rainfall event, the period of pesticide application, or the transport of suspended sediment. All these factors are correlated, and the mechanisms of transportation play an important role in the connections between sink and sources. The results suggest that pesticide monitoring should take into account the runoff and erosion pathways in each particular catchment, and it should especially include the monitoring of major rainfall events for identifying and quantifying the occurrence of pesticides in the environment. The transport of pesticides indicates to be potentiated by intensive pesticide use, the magnitude of rainfall-runoff events, and the absence of runoff control measures (e.g., terracing). These results demonstrate that water and soil conservation techniques should be planned and coordinated at the watershed scale to reduce the connectivity of water and sediment flows from agricultural areas to river systems with the implementation of effective runoff control practices. This will control the mobilization agents (runoff), as well as limit the connection between the sources and the water bodies.