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Deep Tillage Improves Degraded Soils in the (Sub) Humid Ethiopian Highlands

Author

Listed:
  • Misbah Abidela Hussein

    (Faculty of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 6000, Ethiopia)

  • Habtamu Muche

    (Faculty of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 6000, Ethiopia)

  • Petra Schmitter

    (International Water Management Institute, HQ, P.O Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

  • Prossie Nakawuka

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, Kampala 00256, Uganda)

  • Seifu A. Tilahun

    (Faculty of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 6000, Ethiopia)

  • Simon Langan

    (International Water Management Institute, HQ, P.O Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

  • Jennie Barron

    (International Water Management Institute, HQ, P.O Box 2075, Colombo, Sri Lanka
    Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Tammo S. Steenhuis

    (Faculty of Civil and Water Resources Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar 6000, Ethiopia
    Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA)

Abstract

Intensification of rainfed agriculture in the Ethiopian highlands has resulted in soil degradation and hardpan formation, which has reduced rooting depth, decreased deep percolation, and increased direct runoff and sediment transport. The main objective of this study was to assess the potential impact of subsoiling on surface runoff, sediment loss, soil water content, infiltration rate, and maize yield. Three tillage treatments were replicated at five locations: (i) no tillage (zero tillage), (ii) conventional tillage (ox-driven Maresha plow, up to a depth of 15 cm), and (iii) manual deep ripping of the soil’s restrictive layers down to a depth of 60 cm (deep till). Results show that the posttreatment bulk density and penetration resistance of deep tillage was significantly less than in the traditional tillage and zero-tillage systems. In addition, the posttreatment infiltration rate for deep tillage was significantly greater, which resulted in significantly smaller runoff and sedimentation rates compared to conventional tillage and zero tillage. Maize yields were improved by 6% under deep tillage compared to conventional tillage and by 29% compared to no tillage. Overall, our findings show that deep tillage can be effective in overcoming some of the detrimental effects of hardpans in degraded soils.

Suggested Citation

  • Misbah Abidela Hussein & Habtamu Muche & Petra Schmitter & Prossie Nakawuka & Seifu A. Tilahun & Simon Langan & Jennie Barron & Tammo S. Steenhuis, 2019. "Deep Tillage Improves Degraded Soils in the (Sub) Humid Ethiopian Highlands," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:8:y:2019:i:11:p:159-:d:279918
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Saskia Keesstra & Gerben Mol & Jan De Leeuw & Joop Okx & Co Molenaar & Margot De Cleen & Saskia Visser, 2018. "Soil-Related Sustainable Development Goals: Four Concepts to Make Land Degradation Neutrality and Restoration Work," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Tefera, B. & Ayele, Gezahegn & Atnafe, Y. & Jabbar, Mohammad A. & Dubale, P., 2002. "Nature and causes of land degradation in Oromiya region, Ethiopia – a review," Research Reports 182886, International Livestock Research Institute.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sishu, F. K. & Bekele, A. M. & Schmitter, Petra & Tilahun, S. A. & Steenhuis, T. S., 2021. "Phosphorus export from two contrasting rural watersheds in the (sub) humid Ethiopian highlands," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-9:762703..
    2. Gotor, Elisabetta & Nedumaran, Swamikannu & Cenacchi, Nicola & Tran, Nhuong & Dunston, Shahnila & Dermawan, Ahmad & Valera, Harold Glenn & Wiberg, David & Tesfaye, Kindie & Mausch, Kai, 2021. "Land and Water Systems: Looking to the future and a more resilient and sustainable society and environment," SocArXiv ajs6q, Center for Open Science.
    3. Saskia Keesstra & Saskia Visser & Margot De Cleen, 2021. "Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality: A Robust Soil System Forms the Basis for Nature-Based Solutions," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-4, November.
    4. Snežana Jakšić & Jordana Ninkov & Stanko Milić & Jovica Vasin & Milorad Živanov & Darko Jakšić & Vedrana Komlen, 2021. "Influence of Slope Gradient and Aspect on Soil Organic Carbon Content in the Region of Niš, Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-17, July.

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