EFFECTS OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES ON SOIL PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES ACROSS DIFFERENT SLOPE GRADIENTS IN SHONE DISTRICT, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

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.