Spatial variation in soil properties and crop yield on stone bund terraces in southwest Ethiopia

Wolka, K and Biazin, B and Martinsen, V and Mulder, J (2021) Spatial variation in soil properties and crop yield on stone bund terraces in southwest Ethiopia. Soil Use and Management (TSI), 38. pp. 1736-1748. ISSN 0266-0032

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Abstract

Erosion and associated soil degradation are major threats to cropland productivity on the steep slopes of the Ethiopian highlands. To limit erosion from cultivated land on sloping terrain, stone bunds for soil conservation have been used for decades, resulting in the formation of terraces. Although qualitatively well known, the difference in soil properties and crop performance between the upper and lower sections of the terraces (intra-bund areas) has not been documented quantitatively. Here, we assess differences in soil properties of the plough layer and crop performance in the upper and lower sections of terraces in between stone bunds in southwest Ethiopia. A total of 27 terraces, with a length of 28.5–57 m and a distance of 6.5–14.7 m in between adjacent stone bunds, were sampled on six different farms during the 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. The difference in soil properties was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that, in the lower section of a terrace, the concentration of soil organic carbon (18.6 g kg−1), total soil nitrogen (2.1 g kg−1) and exchangeable potassium (328 mg kg−1) was significantly greater (p < .01) than in the upper section. Also, grain yield and biomass of maize, teff, broad bean and sorghum were significantly greater (p < .05) in the lower section. This was particularly true for maize for which the yield in 2018 increased from 0.7 t ha−1 in the upper sections to 2.6 t ha−1 in the lower sections. Optimizing crop yields on terraces requires adaptive fertilizer application and crop choice.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	erosion, maize, nutrients, soil and water conservation, soil moisture, soil organic carbon
Subjects:	Others > Crop Yield Others > Soil Science Others > Maize Others > Water Conservation
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	05 Mar 2025 06:36
Last Modified:	05 Mar 2025 06:36
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12993
Official URL:	https://bsssjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/f...
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. Irene E. Dahl, (NMBU) and Tizazu Animawu (WGCFNR) are acknowledged for their technical assistance in the laboratory. Farmers who allowed their plot for this study are acknowledged.
Links:	Google Scholar

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