Techniques for Conservation Tillage under 15–25% Slope: Soil and Water Conservation, Maize Yield and Yield Components in Basketo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

In steeply sloping regions of Ethiopia, water erosion is the primary cause of soil erosion and land degradation.
Poor management of watersheds, inappropriate farming practices, and heavy rainfall all contribute to a continuous
process of soil nutrient depletion in mountainous places. A quick loss of soil organic matter, soil deterioration, and
a decline in environmental quality could result from the main farmer practice restrictions during plowing. To
maintain agricultural productivity and environmental quality, a better farming system is therefore a significant
method. This study was conducted in 3 farmer’s fields to investigate the significance of different cultivation
practices on soil loss and maize yield under a slope of 19 % during cropping season in 2016 and 2018 at Motkesa
Kebele of Basketo Zone, southern Ethiopia. The trial was laid out using a randomized complete block design
through four treatments replicated three times on run-off plots. Experimental treatments used in the area were (strip
tillage, zero tillage, reduced tillage and farmer practice) with maize planting at a spacing of 25cm by 75cm between
plants and between rows respectively. According to the research result zero tillage decreased mean soil loss by 70%
-74 % compared with conventional tillage (P < 0.05) and zero tillage has a great potential of controlling soil
erosion on steep lands. Additionally, zero tillage was effective in conserving soil moisture increased (36-42%)
compared with conventional tillage practices. According to the results of our research data, we advise that in
smallholder household farms, the implementation of conservation agriculture has a cost-effective production
management method, saves raw materials, increases yield, and reduces manual labor. Further studies are also
encouraged in the same agroecology to promote the conservation agriculture system.

Keywords: Conservation tillage; maize yield and yield components; soil moisture, soil loss