OAR@ICRISATSoil organic carbon and associated soil properties in Enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw. Cheesman)-based homegardens in EthiopiaKWolkaauthorBBirhanuauthorVMartinsenauthorJMulderauthorEnset (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 gSoil FertilitySoil ScienceEthiopia2020-08ElsevierArticle

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