Soil organic carbon and associated soil properties in Enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw. Cheesman)-based homegardens in Ethiopia

Wolka, K and Birhanu, B and Martinsen, V and Mulder, J (2020) Soil organic carbon and associated soil properties in Enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw. Cheesman)-based homegardens in Ethiopia. Soil and Tillage Research (TSI), 205. pp. 1-10. ISSN 0167-1987

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Abstract

Enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw. Cheesman)-based homegardens have long been practiced as central elements of agricultural land management and food security in south and southwest Ethiopia. In contrast to the homegardens’ biodiversity and role in food security, soil quality has received little attention. Objective of this study was to assess soil quality parameters in typical homegardens in comparison with adjacent croplands, both under continuous management for >30 years. The study was undertaken at high (2200–2330 masl), mid (1799–1849 masl), and low (1349–1381 masl) elevation in the central Omo-Gibe basin, southwest Ethiopia. Through interviews of 49 randomly selected farm households, and soil sampling at six paired sites at high and mid elevations, and five paired sites of low elevation, we found that homegardens received the majority of household waste and manure and were less frequently tilled. By contrast, some, but not all, croplands occasionally received inorganic fertilizer. Homegarden soil had significantly greater (P < 0.05) soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations than croplands. At 0–20 cm depth, SOC concentrations in homegardens (22.4–26.4 mg g

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Hot water extractable carbon, Macro-aggregate, Organic carbon stock, Tillage Elevation
Subjects: Others > Soil Fertility
Others > Soil Science
Others > Ethiopia
Depositing User: Mr Arun S
Date Deposited: 27 Jan 2021 04:51
Last Modified: 27 Jan 2021 04:52
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/11692
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2020.104791
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: The Norwegian government through the Royal Norwegian Embassy at Addis Ababa (Ethiopia office)provided financial support for this study through the project titled ‘National MRV Capacity Building towards Climate Resilient Development in Ethiopia’ (Contract number: ETH 14/ 0002) under the agreement between Norwegian University of Life Science and Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University.
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