Land degradation can be considered in terms of the loss of actual or potential productivity or utility as a result of natural or human factors; it is the decline in land quality or reduction in its productivity. It causes running down of soil organic matter and available water for crop growth. Consequently, implementation of soil and water conservation especially level soil bund is supposed to alleviate the impacts of soil erosion and increase agricultural land production and crop productivity. Based on that the effects of level soil bund was evaluated by conducting on-farm study during the cropping season of 2019 in Eba wakeyo kebele, Nejo District, Western Wollega of Oromia Regional State with the objective of evaluating level soil bund on teff productivity and soil properties. The study involves two factor: level soil bund (with and without) was a main plot and the ages of level soil bund was taken as the sub-plots. The treatment (T1=with bund of six year splited in to 7, T= with bund of 4 year splited in to 7, T3= with bund of 2 year splited in to 7and T4= without splited in to 7) with randomized complete block design. The data was analyzed using general linear model procedures and to separate difference between mean LSD (5%) was used. The level soil bund increased the mean value of soil moisture contents at 0-30 cm and 0-60 cm soil depth, the teff (Eragrostis tef) grain yield increased by 22.85% when compared with controlled block and the teff biomass increased by 24.32%. As the wall, it is concluded that level soil bund improves soil fertility, soil moisture status and teff (Eragrostis tef) grain yield and yield components.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background and Justification
1.2. Statement of the problem
1.3. Objective of the study
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Description of the study site
2.2. Treatments and Experimental Design
3.3. Soil sampling and analysis
3.3.1. Monitoring soil chemical properties and physical properties
3.4. Agronomic Data Collection
3.5. Data analysis
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1. Soil physical properties
3.1.1. Soil moisture contents
3.1.2. Soil bulk density and texture
3.2. Soil chemical properties
3.2.1 Soil (pH)
3.2.2. Total nitrogen (TN)
3.2.3. Available phosphorus (AvP)
3.2.4. Catin exchange capacity (CEC)
3.2.5. Organic carbon
3.3. Effects of level soil bund on yield and yield components of teff
3.3.1. Days to panicle emergence
3.3.2. Days to maturity
3.3.3. Plant height
3.3.4. Number of effective tillers
3.3.5. Grain yields
3.3.6. Biomass
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This study evaluates the impact of level soil bunds of varying ages on teff productivity and essential soil properties in the Nejo District of Ethiopia. The central research objective is to determine how these physical soil and water conservation structures influence agricultural output and soil quality compared to unmanaged land.
- Evaluation of teff crop yield and biomass production.
- Assessment of soil chemical properties including pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon.
- Analysis of soil physical characteristics such as moisture content, bulk density, and texture.
- Investigation of the relationship between the age of the soil bund and its long-term effectiveness.
- Correlation between soil moisture improvement and crop maturity duration.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1. Soil moisture contents
Soil moisture content was affected by soil and water conservation practices. As data presented in (Figure 1) the level soil bund significantly influence the soil moisture content of the study area. Consequently, the higher mean value of soil moisture content of plots with level soil bund of six years were 37% at 30-60 cm and 33 % at 0-30 cm soil depth. On the 4 years, the mean value of soil moisture content were 35.4 % at 30-60 cm and 31.53% at 0-30cm soil depth in the plots with level soil bund while 30.75 % at 0-30 cm and 34.5 % at 0-60cm soil depth in the plots without level soil bund.
As the present study level soil bund improves soil moisture content, which is a key factor to improve land production. Also ages of the bund and soil moisture content have positive relationships. As the ages the bund increases the soil moisture content also increases.
Chapter Summaries
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the severity of land degradation in Ethiopia and justifies the need for soil and water conservation measures to maintain food security.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the study site in Nejo District, the experimental layout utilizing different ages of soil bunds, and the laboratory methods for soil analysis.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Presents data showing that soil bunds significantly enhance moisture, improve chemical composition, and increase teff grain yield and biomass compared to control plots.
4. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings, confirming that level soil bunds positively impact soil fertility and crop productivity, with older bunds showing superior results.
Keywords
Land degradation, Level soil bund, Soil erosion, Soil properties, Teff productivity, Crop yield, Biomass, Soil moisture, Ethiopia, Agricultural development, Soil conservation, Agronomy, Soil fertility, Sustainable land management, Nejo District.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research examines the effectiveness of level soil bunds as a conservation strategy for improving teff productivity and soil quality in Western Wollega, Ethiopia.
What are the core thematic fields covered in the work?
The work covers soil physical properties, soil chemical properties, and agronomic performance indicators like grain yield and biomass.
What is the overarching research goal?
The goal is to quantify how the implementation and duration (age) of level soil bunds impact the physico-chemical properties of the soil and the overall yield of teff crops.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The study employs an on-farm experimental design with randomized complete blocks, using general linear model (GLM) procedures and LSD (5%) for statistical analysis.
What does the main body discuss?
The main body details the experimental methodology and presents empirical findings on soil moisture, texture, pH levels, nitrogen content, and the growth metrics of the teff plants.
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include land degradation, level soil bund, soil erosion, teff productivity, soil properties, and sustainable agricultural management.
How does the age of the bund affect soil moisture?
The results indicate a positive correlation where older soil bunds demonstrate higher soil moisture content, contributing to better crop growth conditions.
What was the impact on teff grain yield?
The study observed a 22.85% increase in grain yield on land with level soil bunds when compared to the controlled, non-conserved plots.
- Citar trabajo
- Masters of Science in Environmental Science Dessalegn Etana (Autor), 2020, Effects of Level Soil Bund and Ages of Bund on Teff Productivity and Soil Properties: At, Nejo District, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/921472
