Abstract:
Addressing urgent land degradation necessitates significant efforts and resources. It
deteriorates soil components, disrupts ecological functions, and poses a threat to
agricultural production. Various soil and water conservation (SWC) practices have been
implemented in numerous regions of Ethiopia to mitigate these challenges. This study
aimed to investigate the effects of soil bunds and Desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum)
on soil physico-chemical properties. Soil samples were collected from fields treated with
soil bunds and Desho grass, those with only soil bunds, and untreated fields across three
slope gradients (upper >30%, middle 15-30%, lower 0-15%). A total of 27 samples were
analyzed for physical and chemical properties, showing significant variations (p ≤ 0.05
and/or p ≤ 0.01) in sand and clay particles, bulk density, pH, organic matter, total
nitrogen, available phosphorus, and cation exchange capacity among the different
treatments and slope gradients. In the distinct, the soil properties under the non
conserved are deteriorating compared to the soils under fields conserved soil bund with
Desho grass and soil bund without Desho grass. Generally, the contribution of soil bund
with Desho grass was effective and promising for land rehabilitation and improving soil
properties through minimizing erosion. To improve soil physical and chemical properties,
integrated soil and water conservation could be useful.
