South-eastern Highlands Of Ethiopia Research Articles

Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks as affected by topographic aspect and vegetation in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (total N) stocks in 0–0.3 and 0.3–1.0 m soil layers were estimated following the standard procedures for three vegetation communities; Schefflera-Hagenia, Hypericum-Erica-Schefflera, and Erica arborea (shrub size), at different topographic aspects (east-, west-, north- and south-facing) on the Bale Mountains in the south-eastern highlands of Ethiopia. The results showed that SOC and total N in the top 0.3 m depth varied significantly among vegetation communities ( p < 0.001) and aspects ( p = 0.003). At all aspects studied, the overall mean SOC and total N amounts to a depth of 1.0 m ranged from 32.67 to 46.03 kg C m − 2 and 2.89 to 3.61 kg N m − 2 among the vegetation communities. The overall mean SOC and total N stocks to a depth of 1.0 m varied from 35.13 to 44.97 kg C m − 2 and 2.90 to 3.75 kg N m − 2 among aspects. Topographic aspect induced microclimatic differences and vegetation community types were found to be important factors for the significant variations in SOC and total N stocks in the Bale Mountains. About 45% of the SOC stock in the 0–1.0 m layer of the mineral soil was held in the top 0.3 m of the soil, indicating the potentially large amount of CO 2 that can be released from the top surface soils when these vegetations are deforested and converted into grazing and cultivation.

Determinants of farmers' willingness to pay for soil conservation practices in the southeastern highlands of Ethiopia

AbstractThis paper examines the determinants of farmers' willingness to pay for soil conservation practices in the highlands of Bale, southeast Ethiopia. The paper is based on analysis of data collected from 100 randomly selected household heads. The study applied Contingent Valuation Method for the purpose of eliciting farmers' valuation of soil conservation practices in terms of both cash payment and labour contribution. The results reveal that farmers in the study area are less willing to pay cash for soil conservation measures. In terms of labour contribution, however, it was found that they are willing to spend a substantial amount of time per week. Results from logistic regression analysis show that farmers' decisions to participate in soil conservation practices are influenced by a host of factors. The implication is that taking these factors into account while planning soil conservation measures enables policy makers to come up with projects that win acceptance by the local people. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Effects of stubble management, tillage and cropping sequence on wheat production in the south-eastern highlands of Ethiopia

Bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) yields are often low on peasant farmers’ fields in Ethiopia due to the use of sub-optimal crop management practices. Four multi-factor crop management trials were initiated during 1992 in the south-eastern highlands of Ethiopia. Two of the trials were based on mechanized tillage using disc plow, while two trials were based on the traditional ox-plow of Ethiopia. The four long-term trials examined the effects of alternative practices for crop residue management, tillage and cropping sequence (CS) on wheat grain yield and the severity of infestation by the grass weed Bromus pectinatus . Among the crop residue management treatments, stubble burning tended to increase the grain yield of wheat and decrease the severity of Bromus infestation in contrast to partial removal and complete retention of stubble. Conventional tillage tended to increase wheat grain yield and decrease Bromus severity in contrast to minimum and zero tillage. Faba bean ( Vicia faba ) included in a faba bean–wheat–wheat CS markedly increased wheat yields and reduced Bromus severity, particularly in the first wheat crop following faba bean. Significant factor interactions indicated that the severity of B. pectinatus infestation in wheat crops produced under reduced tillage systems could be minimized by burning of crop stubble and by adopting crop rotation with faba bean.

Effects of stubble management, tillage and cropping sequence on wheat production in the south-eastern highlands of Ethiopia

Bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum) yields are often low on peasant farmers’ fields in Ethiopia due to the use of sub-optimal crop management practices. Four multi-factor crop management trials were initiated during 1992 in the south-eastern highlands of Ethiopia. Two of the trials were based on mechanized tillage using disc plow, while two trials were based on the traditional ox-plow of Ethiopia. The four long-term trials examined the effects of alternative practices for crop residue management, tillage and cropping sequence (CS) on wheat grain yield and the severity of infestation by the grass weed Bromus pectinatus. Among the crop residue management treatments, stubble burning tended to increase the grain yield of wheat and decrease the severity of Bromus infestation in contrast to partial removal and complete retention of stubble. Conventional tillage tended to increase wheat grain yield and decrease Bromus severity in contrast to minimum and zero tillage. Faba bean ( Vicia faba) included in a faba bean–wheat–wheat CS markedly increased wheat yields and reduced Bromus severity, particularly in the first wheat crop following faba bean. Significant factor interactions indicated that the severity of B. pectinatus infestation in wheat crops produced under reduced tillage systems could be minimized by burning of crop stubble and by adopting crop rotation with faba bean.