EFFECTS OF SOIL BUND ON SOIL PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND COMMUNITY PERCEPTION TOWARDS ITS USE SOIL BUND IN DELI SUB-WATERSHED, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Continues cultivation and intensive grazing activity without proper land management resulted in decline in physical and chemical properties of the soil which causes crop yield reduction and food shortage. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil bund and slope gradient on soil physical and chemical properties. Soil sample was collected from farm land treated with soil bund and non-treated soil bund from upper, middle and lower slope positions. Augur and core sampler were used to collect soil samples. Thirty six soil samples soil sample at different depths such as soil depth of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm depth were taken. Using semi-structured questionnaire, socio-economic data were collected from one hundred eleven respondents, who have been need soil bund in their farm lands. Household survey was conducted through face to face interview to collect data on their perception of soil bund. Soil nalysis was done for soil texture, BD, MC, pH, SOC, TN, AV.P, CEC, EC, and exchangeable base (K+ , Na+ , Ca and Mg). The result from the social survey showed that the majority of community was participated in the soil bund and understands the results of severe soil erosion on their farm lands and recognized as loss of top soil and loss of vegetation cover. The analysis result also showed that sand, clay, BD, MC, SOC, TN, AV.P, EC, CEC and soil exchangeable (K+ , Na+ , Ca and Mg ) significantly (P < 0.05) and affected by soil bunds at different soil depth and slope position. However, silt was not significantly differed (P>0.05) in conserved farmlands and adjacent non-conserved farm lands. The highest values of most parameters Clay (%), MC (%), pH, SOC (%), TN (%), AV.P ( pmm), EC ( ds/m), CEC K+ , Na+ ( cml(+)kg), Ca (cmol(+)kg and Mg were recorded in lower slope positions in the conserved farm land and sand (%) and bulk density ( g/cm3 ) was recorded in upper slope position in non-conserved farm-lands. Thus it can be concluded that soil bunds retain essential plant nutrients in Deli sub-watershed. Farmer’s perceived SWC practices their implementation on large scale to improve soil properties. Therefore, structure was not regularly maintained. Thus, there should be continues awareness creation mechanism on stakeholders and prevent farm lands steep slope cultivation, deforestation and over grazing.