Use Of Soil Conservation Practices Research Articles

Soil Conservation Practices among Vegetable Farmers in Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Soil conservation requires that organic matter be returned to the soil on a continual basis. The study examined soil conservation practices among vegetable farmers in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria with the specific aim to: describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the vegetable famers in the area: identify the types of vegetables grown; ascertain the types of soil conservation practices available and adopted for the production of vegetables, examine the benefits of soil conservation practices to vegetable farmer and identify the constraints to the use of soil conservation practices in vegetable production in the study area. Data were collected with the use of questionnaire and 106 respondents were selected from six communities using the purposive sampling method. The data were presented and analysed using frequency, percentage, mean score and correlation analysis. The study revealed that majority (52.8%) were female, were married, (53.8%) and 47.2% had SSCE. The mean age was 31.8 years; household size mean was 4.9 while the mean years of farming experience was 7 years. The type of vegetables grown were; Pepper (87.7%) Okra (84.9% ), Maize (84.0%), fluted pumpkin ( 73.6%) Cucumber (73.6%), Water melon (72.6%), Garden egg (65.1%), Water leaf (59.4%) among others. The types of soil conservation practices available were; shifting cultivation (82.1%), multi-cropping (72.6%), manure application (66.0%) and crop rotation (56.6%). Benefits of soil conservation practices in were; improved soil structure (70.8%), increased productivity (64.2%) and protect soil from erosion and nutrient loss ( 58.5%). Major constraints to the use of soil conservation practices in the study area were; lack of information (71.0%), lack of incentives (57.5%), inadequate soil conservation skills (50.0%) and lack of technical knowhow (37.7%). The result from the regression analysis showed that gender (-0.024 ) , house hold size (-0.135) and maritals

Smallholder farmers’ perception on climate change, information needs and adaptation strategies for improved pineapple (Ananas comosus) production in Awaé Cameroon

This study examined smallholder pineapple farmers’ experiences of climate variability and change in production, as well as ranked adaptation and information source options using data from primary sources. The primary data consisted of a survey on pineapple growing in Awaé. The analysis revealed that pineapple farmers experience climate variability and change evidenced mainly through irregular rainfall patterns (100%), excessive heat (97.14%), drying of streams (85.71%), and rising temperatures (77.14%). These variabilities cause a change in color and taste (40.00 and 45.71% respectively), a reduction in fruit size and yield (68.57 and 100% respectively), and consequently, a reduction in income from pineapple production. Farmers identify deforestation (54.29 ± 0.51%), bush fires (34.29 ± 0.48%) as the major causes of climate change. Although the use of soil conservation practices (e.g. mixed and rotational cropping), bush fallow and crop diversification emerged as the three main adaptation options employed by smallholder pineapple farmers, climate change has the potential to reduce pineapple production in Awaé. Therefore there is a need for future studies to identify adaptation measures that will help improve pineapple production in the area. These farmers are willing to receive information commencement of rain, the prediction of stopping rain, the impact, adaptation strategies, and mitigation strategies to climate change. They can be informed through phone text messages, television, radio, and even demonstration methods for them to effectively follow up on climate change to better improve their pineapple production in Awaé.

Soil conservation and smallholder welfare under cassava‐based systems in Thailand

AbstractLand degradation, declining soil fertility, and erosion continue to plague agricultural production in many developing countries. In response to these farm production constraints and environmental challenges, a range of soil conservation technologies and practices have been developed and disseminated to tackle soil nutrient and fertility declines. However, evidence on the association between soil conservation, farm performance, and smallholder welfare is scarce. In this study, we examine the relationship between soil conservation, farm performance, and welfare outcomes of smallholder cassava farmers in Thailand. We use a farm household survey of 602 cassava growers and apply a doubly robust multivalued treatment effect estimator to estimate the relationship between soil conservation, farm performance, and welfare as well as the observable characteristics associated with the use of soil conservation practices. We observe a positive association between the use of soil conservation practices and cassava yields which is most likely associated with higher‐income streams. Similar insights are also observed for other welfare outcomes such as asset accumulation, including livestock which represents rural wealth to a considerable extent. The positive association between soil conservation and livestock ownership hints at some form of rural diversification. Given these insights, our analysis supports and gives credence to initiatives that promote the adoption of soil conservation as they are not only pro‐poor but also environmentally friendly with significant concerns for ecological safeguards.

Soil erosion assessment in Northwestern Morocco

In this study, the climate and land use change impact on soil water erosion in Loukkos watershed (northwestern Morocco) was assessed. This watershed is known by its intense agricultural activity and characterized by a Mediterranean climate. In order to quantify soil erosion, RUSLE model was used, combined with remote sensing and GIS technology under current and future climate scenarios predicted by the model CNRM-ALADIN63 for 2025–2055. The precipitation for the future climate period (2025–2055) was downscaled using CMhyd's statistical downscaling model (quantile-quantile).The results showed that the annual soil erosion rate averaged about 3.0 t, with a standard deviation of 6.2. In contrast, soil loss of less than 10 t ha−1 yr−1 occurred in 92% of the watershed. While overall erosion estimates show a medium erosion risk, attention and use of soil conservation practices is suggested for 7.1% of area has experienced soil erosion greater than 10 t ha−1 yr−1. Furthermore, the results revealed that average annual soil loss could increase by 3.9% and 8.4% respectively for medium and high Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) compared to the baseline period (1981–2017). Soil erosion assessment and land use change were determined to help implement future conservation measures for decision makers to develop appropriate strategies for long-term planning of water and soil resources, risk mapping and agriculture under various climate change scenarios.

Smallholder farmers’ decisions to the combined use of soil conservation practices in Tiwa watershed, Northwest highlands of Ethiopia

Soil erosion by water is a critical problem in the northwest highland of Ethiopia. The limited decision of farmers to the combined use of soil conservation practices is one of the main accelerating factors to soil erosion by water. The study aimed to identify determinants influence farmers' decision to the combined use of vegetation stabilized terracing and composting under legume-cereal crop rotation on particular croplands in Tiwa watershed, northwest highlands of Ethiopia. The survey was conducted among randomly selected 155 household heads. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to identify the determinants. Farmland ownership status, plot distance from home, soil fertility status, and technical fitness of terraces were major influential factors for farmers’ decision to the combined use of vegetation stabilized terracing, compost, and legume-cereal crop rotation on a specific field. Therefore, to promote the combined use of soil conservation practices in the broad context, the policy should be recognized these institutional, technical, and plot-level factors influence farmers' decision to adopt over time.

Soil management and diverse crop rotation can mitigate early-stage no-till compaction and improve least limiting water range in a Ferralsol

No-till management systems tend to cause soil compaction in the early years of their establishment. Soil compaction reduces crop production due to restrictions on root development. Management strategies combining crop rotation and soil conservation practices still need to be researched as potential strategies to mitigate no-till soil physical constraints in tropical regions with prolonged drought periods and still promote agricultural sustainability. The objective of this study was to determine if soil specific management could mitigate early-stage no-till compaction and improve least limiting water range in a Rhodic Ferralsol. We hypothesized that no-till cropping systems with concomitant conservation practices –soil fertilization, crop rotation, and intercropped brachiaria grass– would improve soil physical quality (SPQ) and still achieve high crop yields in a tropical region with dry winters and frequent dry spells during wet season. Six no-till cropping systems were tested: soybean monoculture (T1); corn monoculture (T2); corn and soybean rotation (T3); corn and soybean rotation with intercropped brachiaria (T4); and two more with increased fertilization: corn and soybean rotation with intercropped brachiaria (T5), and corn and soybean rotation (T6). Least limiting water range (LLWR) was used as an indicator of SPQ. LLWR is computed as a function of bulk density (Bd), and it is defined as the range of soil water content in which physical constraints to plant growth are at minimal. Its critical limits are water contents associated with field capacity and air-filled porosity (upper limits), along with wilting point and soil resistance (lower limits). For each Bd, there is a LLWR value: the span between the upper limit and the lower limit. An adaptation of LLWR, in which we substituted the wilting point by the critical water content (θ*), was also tested (LLWR*). Critical Bd (BdC) value was 1.30 Mg m−3 for LLWR and LLWR*. In monoculture treatments (T1 and T2) the maximum Bd values exceeded the BdC (LLWR = LLWR * = 0) and negatively correlated with crop yield. Alternatively, cropping systems with diverse crop rotation (corn/soybean/brachiaria) showed greater values of LLWR and LLWR* and less soil compaction than monoculture systems. Usage of LLWR* evinced water stress was the main limiting plant growth factor; viz. θ* was more limiting than mechanical resistance and deficient aeration. These results support the hypothesis that the use of soil conservation practices and crop rotation during initial years of no-till farming contributes favorably to SPQ without compromising crop production.

Soil conservation practices among rural farmers in arable crop production in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

The study examined soil conservation practices in arable crop production among rural farmers in Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Data were collected with the use of a questionnaire and interview schedule. One hundred and twenty respondents were selected from six communities using the simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as the ordinary least square (OLS) analysis. Findings show that more than half (52.5%) were married and 37.5% had formal education. The mean age was 41 years. Types of soil conservative practices used were mulching (51.17%), bush fallowing (59.17), manure application (32.50%), planting indigenous crops (59.17), crop rotation (59.17%), agro-forestry (8.33%), cover cropping (32.50%), intercropping (59.17%), multicropping (58.33%) and shifting cultivation (55.00%), while mulching (x = 75), bush fallowing (x = 0.82), planting of indigenous plants (x = 1.60), and crop rotation (x = 1.58) were adopted. Benefits of soil conservation practices to arable crop farmers were improved soil structure (16.67%), protection of soil from erosion and nutrients loses (16.67%) among others. The major constraint to the use of soil conservation practices in arable crop production was unfavourable land tenure system (40.00%). The study concluded that some soil conservation practices are adopted and practiced by arable crop farmers in the study area. The study further recommends that rewards and planting materials should be given to arable crop farmers as incentives in motivating them to adopt soil coservation practices. Keywords: soil conservation practices, arable crop, farmers

Use of Soil Conservation Practices for Climate Change Adaptation among Arable Crop Farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study examined farmers’ use of soil conservation practices as strategies for climate change adaptation in Cross River State, Nigeria. A Multistage random sampling technique was used to draw 180 respondents for the study. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit data for the study while descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. Findings from the study revealed that all the respondents were aware of mulching (100%) and majority were aware of planting of cover crops (98.3%) and organic fertilizer (98.3%) among other SCP while some of the frequently utilized soil conservation practices were found to be mulching (mean – 2.95), mixed cropping (mean – 2.85), shifting cultivation (mean – 2.83), planting of cover crops (mean - 2.63) among other SCP. Population pressure on land ranked highest (mean = 2.64) as the most serious constraint to the use of soil conservation practices followed by effect of urbanization (mean = 2.53). The study concludes that arable crop farmers are aware of and are utilizing various soil conservation practices suitable to their local needs to cushion the impacts of climate change and recommends enactment of a law by governments that allows for localization of land for various purposes in order to reduce population pressure on arable land.

Factors Affecting Smallholder Farmers’ Perception Regarding Their Use of Soil Conservation Practices: Evidence from Farming at Qamata Irrigation Scheme, South Africa

Using a case study research design, this paper evaluated factors determining smallholder farmers’ perceptions on the use of soil conservation technologies at Qamata Irrigation Scheme, Eastern Cape ...

Adoption and continued use of contour cultivation in the highlands of southwest China

This paper examines the use and continued use of contour cultivation in Yunnan Province. Descriptive analysis shows that even with easy-to-adopt conservation practices such as contour cultivation, we do not observe high rates of adoption without subsidy or monetary incentives. Multivariate analysis shows that households with larger plots, more fertile land and male and younger decision makers are more likely to use contour cultivation. Households relying more heavily on agricultural income tend to continue to use contour cultivation. The findings suggest that the trends in China's agriculture sector (increasing off-farm employment, aging and more female farmers on farm) are not conducive to the use of soil conservation practices. To alleviate soil erosion problems, the government should increase investment in agricultural extension and provide farmers with monetary incentives to encourage the adoption of environmental conservation measures. Policies should also target marginal land where conservation efforts may be lacking.

Use of soil conservation practices in the Southwestern highlands of Uganda

The objective of this study was to determine the nature and extent of use of soil conservation practices, and examine the factors determining their adoption by farmers in Southwestern Uganda. We collected data from 853 households in eight sub counties spread out in three districts (Kabale, Kisoro and Ntungamo) through household interviews. The study area was divided into three categories (low, medium and high) depending on assessment of the level of intervention by development projects in the last 15+ years. The various soil conservation measures used include crop rotation, intercropping, use of cover crops, manure application, trenches/terraces, alley cropping/spacing, mulching, conservation tillage, water harvesting and application of synthetic fertilizers. Generally, the level of use of soil conservation practices can be rated as “moderate” The level of adoption of the soil conservation practices was independent of previous levels of intervention by development projects. The major socio-economic factors affecting adoption of soil conservation practices in Southwestern Uganda are total male as well as total labour force in the household, household size, membership to farmer association, visitation by extension agents and total land size owned. Improvement in soil productivity requires farmers’ collective action, for example, through formation of innovation platforms to hasten technology diffusion. Key words: Soil conservation, highlands, Southwestern Uganda.

ANÁLISE DA VIABILIDADE SÓCIO-AMBIENTAL DA FRUTICULTURA IRRIGADA NO BAIXO JAGUARIBE, CEARÁ

A fruticultura irrigada é uma atividade que vem crescendo no Estado do Ceará, sobretudo em certas regiões favoráveis e entre estas regiões encontra-se o Baixo Jaguaribe, onde diversas empresas exploram a fruticultura irrigada e nesta pesquisa, avaliou-se os aspectos sociais e ambientais da atividade. Os aspectos sociais foram avaliados através de entrevistas com funcionários das empresas produtoras de frutas na região e estas focalizaram: serviços de educação e saúde nos municípios de residência, habitação, aspectos sanitários, posse de bens duráveis e emprego. Os cuidados ambientais das empresas foram avaliados com base em entrevistas com os técnicos responsáveis das empresas por este setor. Foram abordados nas entrevistas itens como: utilização de práticas de conservação do solo, existência de reserva legal na propriedade, controle de pragas e doenças, uso de fogo em atividade agropecuária, sistema de irrigação utilizado, entre outros. A partir das informações obtidas foram calculados dois sub-índices: um de qualidade de vida dos funcionários e outro de viabilidade ambiental. A partir desses dois sub-índices foi obtido um índice de viabilidade sócio-ambiental da fruticultura irrigada nas empresas e ambos apresentaram boa performance. Verificou-se que as condições de vida dos funcionários são adequadas e que, em geral, são tomados nas propriedades os principais cuidados ambientais necessários. Assim, a fruticultura irrigada vem sendo desenvolvida por empresas e estas tomam os cuidados ambientais necessários, com responsabilidade social.Palavras-chave: Agricultura Irrigada, Fruticultura, Desenvolvimento Sustentável.AbstractThe irrigated fruit cultivation is an activity that has been growing in the State of Ceará, mainly in certain favourable areas. Among these areas, there is the Low Jaguaribe, where various enterprises explore the activity. To evaluate, therefore, whether the irrigated fruit cultivation developed in the region has been contributing for the sustainable development, this research tried to evaluate the social and environmental aspects of the activity. The social matters were evaluated through interviews with the workers of the enterprises that produce fruits in the region. Were interviewed people who worked directly in the production (cultivation, harvest and after harvest cares) because these are the majority of workers in these enterprises. The interviews included items such as: education and health public services in the municipalities of residence, housing, sanitary aspects, possession of lasting consumer goods and job. The environmental matters of the activity were evaluated through interviews with the responsible technicians in the enterprises visited. Items such as use of soil conservation practices, existence of legal reserve in the property, plagues and illnesses control, fire use in the agricultural activity, kind of irrigation system used, among others, were included in the interviews. Starting from these information, two indexes were calculated: one of workers’ quality of life and another of environmental viability. Starting from these two indexes, it was obtained an index of socio-environmental viability of the irrigated fruit cultivation in the region’s enterprises visited in the region as environmental and socially viable.Keywords:irrigated agriculture, irrigated fruit cultivation, sustainable development

Suspended sediment transport in a small Mediterranean agricultural catchment

AbstractThe aim of this study is to analyze suspended sediment transport in a Mediterranean agricultural catchment under traditional soil and water conservation practices. Field measurements were conducted in Can Revull, a small ephemeral catchment (1.03 km2) on the island of Mallorca. This study uses continuous turbidity records to analyse suspended sediment transport regimes, construct and interpret multiple regression models of total suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and of SSC related to stormflow discharge, and assess the sediment loads and yields of three hydrological years (2004–2005 to 2006–2007). An annual average SSC of 17.3 mg l−1, with a maximum of 2270 mg l−1, was recorded in the middle of the winter period when rainfall intensities are high and headwater slopes are ploughed and thus bare. Strong seasonal contrasts of baseflow dynamics associated with different degrees of dilution provide a large scatter in SSC and in the derived rating curves, reflecting that other factors control the supply of suspended sediment. Multiple regression models identify rainfall intensity as the most significant variable in sediment supply. However, under baseflow conditions, physical and biological processes generate sediment in the channel that is subsequently removed during high flow. In contrast, when baseflow is not present, rainfall intensity is the only process that supplies sediment to the channel, mostly from hillslopes. Considering the study period as average in terms of total annual rainfall and intensities, suspended sediment yields were an order of magnitude lower than those obtained in other Mediterranean catchments, a factor that can be related to the historical use of soil conservation practices. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

LAND COVER – RELIEF RELATIONSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK EVALUATION IN SOROCABA – SP

Considering the crucial role that the relief plays in the landscape dynamics and also considering that the land use / land cover patterns might be a driving force in starting some kinds of environmental impacts, this paper examines the occurrence of the land cover classes in relation the slope categories along the Sorocaba city (SP), and analyses the adequacy of such distribution. This study was carried out through GIS technology and using two main databases: the first one was the digital land cover map for 2003 and the second one was the Digital Elevation Model of the study area (converted into slope map). These two maps were crossed and the resulting map shows that the city presents a predominance of adequate land cover (78.9%). However, approximately 11% of the study area indicates having some type of risk due to incompatibility of the land cover and relief, showing that the land use should be reorganized in these risky areas. The use of soil conservation practices along the agricultural areas and terracing in urban settlements are initiative that should be implemented in order to mitigate or, preferably, eliminate the impacts.

Nitrogen losses in runoff from three adjacent agricultural watersheds with claypan soils

Abstract Despite improvements in the use of soil conservation practices, crop rotation and managed fertilizer applications, large losses of nitrogen (N) in runoff continue to occur from row-cropped watersheds. Increasing requirements for implementing water quality standards in the United States, has increased pressure for the development of research-based guidelines to reduce N losses from agricultural runoff. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of management, watershed characteristics, and precipitation on TN and nitrate-N (NO3−-N) loss over time by comparing losses on three adjacent watersheds with claypan soils. The three adjacent north-facing, corn–soybean rotational watersheds in northeastern Missouri were instrumented with H-flumes, water samplers, and flow-monitoring devices in 1991. Runoff samples from each individual rainfall event between 1991 and 1997 were analyzed for TN and NO3−-N concentrations. The 7-year mean annual TN losses on the three watersheds ranged from 13 to 19 kg ha−1 with a mean of 16 kg ha−1. Nitrate-N losses ranged from 8 to 14 kg ha−1 with a mean of 11 kg ha−1. During the study, 67% of the TN was lost as NO3−-N with a range from 22% in 1997 to 76% in 1996. The mean annual TN losses for corn and soybean years during the study were 30.7 and 5.7 kg ha−1, respectively. Significantly higher loss (57%) of N from watersheds occurred during the period between fall harvest and spring planting when crops were not present (referred to as the “fallow” period in this paper; 86.8 kg ha−1) compared to N losses during the cropping period (64.5 kg ha−1). In 1994, 96% of the annual TN loss and 98% of the annual NO3−-N loss occurred during the fallow period. In contrast, the lowest fallow period losses of TN (19%) and NO3−-N (14%) occurred in 1993. The watershed-mean TN and NO3−-N losses in 1993 alone accounted for 44 and 46% of the total losses observed over the 7-year period because during that year the study area received 142% of the normal precipitation. When the study area received 51% of the annual precipitation before planting in 1996, the TN and NO3−-N losses accounted for 34 and 38% of the 7-year loss, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer that was applied in 1993 and 1996 may also have contributed to the observed large losses. The results of this study suggest that the maintenance of a suitable vegetative cover throughout the year could reduce runoff and lower TN and NO3−-N loss from agricultural watersheds under a corn–soybean rotation.

Factors affecting use of conservation farming practices in east central Ohio

Data were collected from 371 farmers in east central Ohio to assess how attitudes, personal characteristics, and farm structure factors influence use of soil conservation practices at the farm level. A diffusion-farm structure model was used to guide the study. The findings revealed that the theoretical perspective had limited utility for predicting use of several farming practices evaluated in the study. The best predictors were farm structure variables, which suggests that structural conditions of the existing farming system in the US are significant considerations in the decision making process concerning the selection of specific farming practices. The implications of the study findings for future soil and water conservation efforts in the US are discussed.

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Adoption of soil conservation practices: An empirical analysis in Ontario, Canada

AbstractSoil degradation threatens environmental quality and sustainable food production. As a result of efforts to promote soil conservation, farmers in Canada are thought to be reasonably aware of both the importance of conservation and the existence of remedial and preventive practices. Despite this, the adoption of conservation practices has been less than overwhelming. Forces other than awareness and positive attitude seem to be constraining many land managers from employing available conservation methods. This paper presents the findings from an empirical investigation of the use of soil conservation practices and barriers to their adoption in the southwestern region of Ontario, Canada. The analysis is set in the context of literature on technology adoption. A scheme for measuring farm‐level conservation effort is developed, and barriers to adoption are derived from an analysis of a range of independent physical, personal, and economic factors, and from the obstacles or constraints identified by producers themselves. Key barriers relate to economic pressures, the complexity and compatibility of practices, and perceptions regarding the actual need for practices. The findings have relevance for the design of public policies and programs, notably the importance of supplying information on farm‐level implications of conservation methods and the need for a stable economic environment for agriculture to allow longer‐term planning.

Factors affecting acceptance and continued use of soil conservation practices in developing societies: a diffusion perspective

The purpose of this paper is to examine social, economic and institutional factors which affect the adoption of soil conservation practices in developing societies. The traditional diffusion model is discussed in the context of its utility for facilitating adoption of soil conservation at the farm level. Factors discussed are as follows: awareness of soil conservation practices; potential impacts of adoption; attributes of the innovation; relevance of soil conservation practices; and institutional barriers to adoption. It is concluded that institutional barriers will be the most difficult barriers to remove in developing societies.

The social, economic and institutional factors affecting adoption of soil conservation practices: the Asian experience

The purpose of this paper is to discuss social, economic and institutional factors affecting adoption and continued use of soil conservation practices at the farm level in Asia. Macrosocial factors discussed are population pressure on land resources, poverty, land tenure and national development policies. Microsocial factors selected for examination are awareness of conservation practices, access to information systems, profitability of soil conservation practices, and value orientations of land operators. It is concluded that programs designed to facilitate adoption of soil conservation practices at the farm level in Asia must address macrosocial factors as well as microsocial factors or they will probably not be successful. Specific recommendations for the development of intervention strategies are presented.