IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jlands/v12y2023i3p593-d1085407.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effect of Locally Adapted Conservation Tillage on Runoff, Soil Erosion, and Agronomic Performance in Semiarid Rain-Fed Farming in Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Laike Kebede

    (Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, Adama P.O. Box 436, Ethiopia)

  • Melesse Temesgen

    (Aybar Engineering PLC, Woreda 09 Gulele, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Abebe Fanta

    (Institute of Technology, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa P.O. Box 138, Ethiopia)

  • Asfaw Kebede

    (Institute of Technology, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa P.O. Box 138, Ethiopia)

  • Johan Rockström

    (Stockholm Resilience Center, Box 2142, 103 14 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Assefa M. Melesse

    (Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

Abstract

An on-farm field experiment on a locally adapted conservation tillage method was undertaken to evaluate its effect on soil erosion, surface runoff, and agronomic parameters. It was conducted on five farmer fields with 3–14% slopes in the Rift Valley and the Eastern escarpment of Ethiopia’s central highlands region for two cropping seasons. The treatments were conventional tillage (CT), repeated ploughing performed with a traditional ox-drawn plough named ‘Maresha’, and minimized contour ploughing (MT) at most twice with a locally adapted sweep-like attachment assembled to Maresha. Surface runoff and soil loss in the MT system were 30 to 60% and 49 to 76% lower than those in the CT system on 3 to 14% slopes, respectively. Despite the wide variation in surface runoff, limited differences in soil water content for the depth from 0 to 20 cm were observed between the treatments. Significant differences ( p < 0.05) in grain yields (kg ha −1 ) of 246 and 323 in the 1st and 2nd growing seasons, respectively, were recorded between the MT and CT treatments. The results of this study demonstrated that the MT system can significantly reduce surface runoff and soil loss while improving crop yields in rainfed smallholder farming systems of Ethiopia.

Suggested Citation

  • Laike Kebede & Melesse Temesgen & Abebe Fanta & Asfaw Kebede & Johan Rockström & Assefa M. Melesse, 2023. "Effect of Locally Adapted Conservation Tillage on Runoff, Soil Erosion, and Agronomic Performance in Semiarid Rain-Fed Farming in Ethiopia," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:3:p:593-:d:1085407
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/3/593/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/3/593/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Liu, S. & Yang, J.Y. & Zhang, X.Y. & Drury, C.F. & Reynolds, W.D. & Hoogenboom, G., 2013. "Modelling crop yield, soil water content and soil temperature for a soybean–maize rotation under conventional and conservation tillage systems in Northeast China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 32-44.
    2. Gretton, Paul & Salma, Umme, 1997. "Land degradation: links to agricultural output and profitability," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 41(2), pages 1-17.
    3. Zhang Hong & Msafiri Y. Mkonda & Xinhua He, 2018. "Conservation Agriculture for Environmental Sustainability in A Semiarid Agroecological Zone under Climate Change Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Adimassu, Zenebe & Tamene, L. & Degefie, D. T., 2020. "The influence of grazing and cultivation on runoff, soil erosion, and soil nutrient export in the central highlands of Ethiopia," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-9:23..
    5. Shuang Liu & Yuru Gao & Huilin Lang & Yong Liu & Hong Zhang, 2022. "Effects of Conventional Tillage and No-Tillage Systems on Maize ( Zea mays L.) Growth and Yield, Soil Structure, and Water in Loess Plateau of China: Field Experiment and Modeling Studies," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-14, October.
    6. David Pimentel, 2006. "Soil Erosion: A Food and Environmental Threat," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 119-137, February.
    7. World Bank, 2006. "Ethiopia : Managing Water Resources to Maximize Sustainable Growth," World Bank Publications - Reports 8170, The World Bank Group.
    8. Enfors, Elin & Barron, Jennie & Makurira, Hodson & Rockström, Johan & Tumbo, Siza, 2011. "Yield and soil system changes from conservation tillage in dryland farming: A case study from North Eastern Tanzania," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(11), pages 1687-1695, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Semih Ediş & Özgür Burhan Timur & Gamze Tuttu & İbrahim Aytaş & Ceyhun Göl & Ali Uğur Özcan, 2023. "Assessing the Impact of Engineering Measures and Vegetation Restoration on Soil Erosion: A Case Study in Osmancık, Türkiye," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Aznarul Islam & Sanat Kumar Guchhait, 2017. "Search for social justice for the victims of erosion hazard along the banks of river Bhagirathi by hydraulic control: a case study of West Bengal, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 433-459, April.
    3. Shuang Liu & Yuru Gao & Huilin Lang & Yong Liu & Hong Zhang, 2022. "Effects of Conventional Tillage and No-Tillage Systems on Maize ( Zea mays L.) Growth and Yield, Soil Structure, and Water in Loess Plateau of China: Field Experiment and Modeling Studies," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-14, October.
    4. Václav BRANT & Milan KROULÍK & Jan PIVEC & Petr ZÁBRANSKÝ & Josef HAKL & Josef HOLEC & Zdeněk KVÍZ & Luděk PROCHÁZKA, 2017. "Splash erosion in maize crops under conservation management in combination with shallow strip-tillage before sowing," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 12(2), pages 106-116.
    5. López-Vicente, M. & Navas, A. & Gaspar, L. & Machín, J., 2013. "Advanced modelling of runoff and soil redistribution for agricultural systems: The SERT model," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 1-12.
    6. David Oscar Yawson & Michael Osei Adu & Benjamin Ason & Frederick Ato Armah & Genesis Tambang Yengoh, 2016. "Putting Soil Security on the Policy Agenda: Need for a Familiar Framework," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-11, September.
    7. Aditi Sengupta & Priyanka Kushwaha & Antonia Jim & Peter A. Troch & Raina Maier, 2020. "New Soil, Old Plants, and Ubiquitous Microbes: Evaluating the Potential of Incipient Basaltic Soil to Support Native Plant Growth and Influence Belowground Soil Microbial Community Composition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, May.
    8. Caterina Samela & Vito Imbrenda & Rosa Coluzzi & Letizia Pace & Tiziana Simoniello & Maria Lanfredi, 2022. "Multi-Decadal Assessment of Soil Loss in a Mediterranean Region Characterized by Contrasting Local Climates," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-25, July.
    9. Rawia Tawfik, 2016. "The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: a benefit-sharing project in the Eastern Nile?," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(4), pages 574-592, June.
    10. Sacchi, Laura Valeria & Powell, Priscila Ana & Gasparri, Nestor Ignacio & Grau, Ricardo, 2017. "Air quality loss in urban centers of the Argentinean Dry Chaco: Wind and dust control as two scientifically neglected ecosystem services," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 234-240.
    11. Wen, Xiaojie & Yao, Shunbo & Sauer, Johannes, 2022. "Shadow prices and abatement cost of soil erosion in Shaanxi Province, China: Convex expectile regression approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    12. Bennett, Jeffrey W., 2005. "Australasian environmental economics: contributions, conflicts and ‘cop-outs’," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 49(3), pages 1-19.
    13. Václav BRANT & Petr ZÁBRANSKÝ & Michaela ŠKEŘÍKOVÁ & Jan PIVEC & Milan KROULÍK & Luděk PROCHÁZKA, 2017. "Effect of row width on splash erosion and throughfall in silage maize crops," Soil and Water Research, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 12(1), pages 39-50.
    14. Nepal, Sandhya & Tran, Liem T., 2019. "Identifying trade-offs between socio-economic and environmental factors for bioenergy crop production: A case study from northern Kentucky," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 272-283.
    15. Nuaman Ejaz & Mohamed Elhag & Jarbou Bahrawi & Lifu Zhang & Hamza Farooq Gabriel & Khalil Ur Rahman, 2023. "Soil Erosion Modelling and Accumulation Using RUSLE and Remote Sensing Techniques: Case Study Wadi Baysh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, February.
    16. Shanshan Xu & Qinghe Zhao & Shengyan Ding & Mingzhou Qin & Lixin Ning & Xiaoyu Ji, 2018. "Improving Soil and Water Conservation of Riparian Vegetation Based on Landscape Leakiness and Optimal Vegetation Pattern," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-16, May.
    17. Michele A. Whitecraft & Bruce E. Huggins Jr., 2013. "Casting a Wider Net: Understanding the “Root” Causes of Human-Induced Soil Erosion," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-16, September.
    18. Hoekman, S. Kent & Broch, Amber & Liu, Xiaowei (Vivian), 2018. "Environmental implications of higher ethanol production and use in the U.S.: A literature review. Part I – Impacts on water, soil, and air quality," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 3140-3158.
    19. Hagos, Fitsum & Makombe, Godswill & Namara, Regassa & Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele, 2008. "Does access to small scale irrigation promote market oriented production in Ethiopia?," IWMI Conference Proceedings 246403, International Water Management Institute.
    20. Magdalena Raftowicz & Krzysztof Solarz & Agnieszka Dradrach, 2024. "Short Food Supply Chains as a Practical Implication of Sustainable Development Ideas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-14, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:3:p:593-:d:1085407. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.