Effects of Conservation Tillage Integrated with 'Fanya Juus' Structure on Soil Loss in Northern Ethiopia

Habtamu Muche; Fantaw Yimer; Melesse Temesgen

Authors

Habtamu Muche
Fantaw Yimer
Melesse Temesgen

conservation tillage, fanya juus, runoff, soil loss

Abstract

In the Northern highlands of Ethiopia, surface runoff and soil loss have been identified as critical problems and the most limiting factors in agricultural production. Although different soil and water conservation mesures have been constructed by mobilizing the communities and resources, runoff has continued and put extra pressure on the structures. This study was initiated to investigate surface runoff and soil loss as affected by integration of conservation tillage with fanya juus' at plot level at Enerata kebele, East Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region. There were two tillage treatments (CT and TT) combined with newly constructed fanya juus with four replications. Runoff and soil loss were recorded at 38 rainfall event through three tied trenches within wheat (triticum vulgare) and tef (eragrostis tef) farm plots. Result showed that average runof f coefficients of 17.72% and 43.96% were recorded due to conservation tillage system from wheat and tef farm plots, respectevly. Thus, runoff coefficient induced 0.54 and 0.18 times reduced in soil loss from wheat and tef plots, respectively. Reduction of runoff volume and soil loss in the conservation tillage systems were attributed to retarded movement of water in the presence of invisible barriers in each furrow that are laid along the contour. The retarded movement of water resulted in increased infiltration and reduced soil loss. Overall, conservation tillage system has a paramount importance in reduction of soil loss while integrated with fanya juus' structures in cultivated lands.

Downloads

How to Cite

Effects of Conservation Tillage Integrated with ’Fanya Juus’ Structure on Soil Loss in Northern Ethiopia. (2014). Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, 14(32), 1-12. https://journalofscience.org/index.php/GJSFR/article/view/

Download Citation

References

A. Abdul-Megid, G. Schuman, R. Hart (1987) Soil bulk density and water infiltration as affected by grazing systems. 40(4), 307. https://doi.org/10.2307/3898725

A. Abiye, M. Jabbar, M. Mohamed-Saleem, T. Erkossa (2002) Development and testing of low cost animal drawn minimum tillage implements: experience on Vertisols in Ethiopia Agric. 33, 290-302.

Y. Admassie (1995) Twenty Years to Nowhere. Property Rights, Land Management and Conservation in Ethiopia.

AHI, W. Cornelis, J. Nyssen, B. Govaerts, Tewodros H. Bauer, Tigist Oicha, D. Raes, K. Sayre, Mi Haile, J. Deckers (2011) Effects of conservation agriculture on runoff, soil loss and crop yield under rainfed conditions in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. 27, 404-414.

Tesfay Araya, Wim Cornelis, Jan Nyssen, Bram Govaerts, Fekadu Getnet, Hans Bauer, Kassa Amare, Dirk Raes, Mitiku Haile, Jozef Deckers (2012) Medium-term effects of conservation agriculture based cropping systems for sustainable soil and water management and crop productivity in the Ethiopian Highlands. 132, 53-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2011.12.009

Astatke A., Jabbar M., Tanner D. (2003) Participatory conservation tillage research: an experience with minimum tillage on an Ethiopian highland Vertisol.

S. Belay, F. Benjamin, O. Mutlu (2013) Agroecosystem Analysis of the Choke Mountain Watersheds, Ethiopia. 5, 592-616.

A. Bertrannd (1965) Rate of water intake in the field In: Black, C.A (Ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis, Part I. 197-209.

E. Bonari, M. Mazzonzini, A. Peruzzi, M. Ginanni (1995) Soil erosion and nitrogen loss as affected by different tillage systems used for durum wheat cultivated in a hilly clayey soil. 1995, 105-121.

K. Broersma, J. Robertson, D. Chanasyk (1995) Effects of different cropping systems on soil water properties of a Boralf soil. 26(11-12), 1795-1811. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103629509369409

R. Corner, J. Bassman, B. Moore (1996) Monitoring timber harvest impacts on stream sedimentation: instream vs. upslope methods. 11(1), 25-32.

S. De Alba, C. Lacasta, G. Benito, A. Perez- Gonzalez (2001) Influence of soil management on water erosion in a Mediterranean semiarid environment in Central Spain. 158-165.

A. Dejene (1990) Environment, Famine, and Politics in Ethiopia: A view from the village.

C. Douglas, K. King, J. Zuzel (1998) Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Surface Runoff and Sediment from a Wheat‐Pea Rotation in Northeastern Oregon. 27(5), 1170-1177. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1998.00472425002700050023x

C. Ehret (1979) On the Antiquity of Agriculture in Ethiopia. 2, 161-177.

T. Erkossa, T. Erkossa, K. Stahr, T. Gaiser (2005) Effect of different methods of land preparation on runoff, soil and nutrient losses from a Vertisol in the Ethiopian highlands. 21(2), 253-259. https://doi.org/10.1079/sum2005319

FAO (1986) Ethiopian highland reclamation study: Ethiopia, Final Report.

FAO (1998) FAO, 1998. Conventional tilling severely erodes the soil. New concepts for soil conservation required. Press release. Viewed 6/9:. http://www.fao.org/waicent/ois/press_ne/presseng/1998/pren9842.htm

Y. Fantaw, I. Messing, S. Ledin, A. Abdu (2008) Effects of different land use types on infiltration capacity in a catchment in the high lands of Ethiopia. 24, 344-349.

H. Fufa, B. Tesfa, T. Hailu, A. Kibebew, K. Tiruneh, D. Aberra, K. Seyfu (2000) Agronomy research in Tef In: Hailu, T., Getachew, B., Mark, S (Eds.), Narrowing the Rift Tef Research and Development. 2000, 167-176.

M. Goe (1990) Tillage with the traditional maresha in Ethiopian highlands. 6(3), 127-156.

G. Girmay, BR Singh, J. Nyssen, T. Borrose (2009) Runoff and sediment-associated nutrient losses under different land uses in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. 376(1-2), 70-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.07.066

E. Habtamu (2006) Adoption of Physical Soil and Water Conservation Structures. 65-66.

Herlina Hartanto, Ravi Prabhu, Anggoro Widayat, Chay Asdak (2003) Factors affecting runoff and soil erosion: plot-level soil loss monitoring for assessing sustainability of forest management. 180(1-3), 361-374. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-1127(02)00656-4

K. Herweg, B. Stillhardt (1999) The variability of soil erosion in the Highlands of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Hans Hurni (1988) Degradation and Conservation of the Resources in the Ethiopian Highlands. 8(2/3), 123. https://doi.org/10.2307/3673438

H. Hurni (1993) Land degradation, famine, and land resource scenarios in Ethiopia. 27-62. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511735394.004

H. Hurni, I. Perich (1992) Towards a Tigray regional environmental and economic strategy.

H. Kruger, F. Berhanu, G. Yohannes, K. Kefeni (1996) Kruger H Berhanu F Yohannes G & Kefeni K 1996.

P. Liisa, Rainer, Y. Markku (2004) Effects of trampling by cattle on the hydraulic and mechanical properties of soil. 82, 99-108.

T. Melesse (2007) Conservation Tillage Systems and Water Productivity Implications for Smallholder Farmers in Semi-arid Ethiopia PhD Thesis. 9-16.

T. Melesse, J. Rockstrom, H. Savenije, W. Hoogmoed, D. Alemu (2008) Determinants of tillage frequency among smallholder farmers in two semi-arid areas in Ethiopia. 33, 183-191.

T. Melesse, W. Hoogmoed, J. Rockström, H. Savenije (2009) Conservation Tillage Implements for Smallholder farmers in Semi-arid Ethiopia. 104, 185-191.

J. Nyssen, J. Poesen (2000) Tillage erosion by the traditional plough of the Ethiopian Highlands. 57, 115-127.

J. Nyssen (2001) Erosion processes and soil conservation in a tropical mountain catchment under threat of anthropogenic desertification: a case study from Northern Ethiopia.

Oicha Tigist, Cornelis, M. Wim, Verplancke Hubert, Nyssen Jan, Govaerts Bram, Behailu Mintesinot, Haile Mitiku, Deckers Jozef (2010) Short-term effects of conservation agriculture on Vertisols under tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) in the northern Ethiopian highlands. 106, 294-302.

M. Schnitzer (1982) Total carbon, organic matter, and carbon In: Page, A.L., Miller, R.H., Keeney, D.R (Eds.), Methods of Soil Analysis Part 2, Agronomy Monograph, vol 9, 2nd ed. 9, 539-577.

SCRP (Soil Conservation Research Project) (1987) Soil conservation progress report.

Bekele Shiferaw, Stein Holden (1999) Soil Erosion and Smallholders' Conservation Decisions in the Highlands of Ethiopia. 27(4), 739-752. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0305-750x(98)00159-4

G. Solomon, A. Mouazen, H. Van Brussel, H. Ramon, J. Nyssen, H. Verplancke, B. Mintesinot, J. Deckers, J. De Baerdemaeker (2006) Animal drawn tillage, the Ethiopian ard plough, maresha: a review. 89, 129-143.

L. Tamene (2005) Reservoir siltation in the dry lands of northern Ethiopia: causes, source areas and management options.

G. Tekeste, D. Paul Soil and water conservation in Tigray, Ethiopia.

A. Tengberg, M. Stocking, M. Veiga (1997) The impact of erosion on the productivity of a Ferralsol and a Cambisol in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. 13(2), 90-96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.1997.tb00564.x

Christian Thierfelder, Patrick Wall (2009) Effects of conservation agriculture techniques on infiltration and soil water content in Zambia and Zimbabwe. 105(2), 217-227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2009.07.007

D. Thomas, A. Erikson, M. Grunder, J. Mburu (1997) Soil and water conservation Manual for Kenya. 49-55.

Tulema Balesh, Aune Jens, B. Johnsen, Fred, Vanlauwe Bernard (2008) The prospects of reduced tillage in tef (Eragrostis tef Zucca) in Gare Arera, West Shawa Zone of Oromiya, Ethiopia. 99, 58-65.

A. Wood (1990) Natural resource management and rural development in Ethiopia. 58.