Effects of Selected Physical Soil and Water Conservation Structures on Wheat Crop Yield: The Case of Lemo District in Central Ethiopia

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Research Paper 07/09/2024
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Effects of Selected Physical Soil and Water Conservation Structures on Wheat Crop Yield: The Case of Lemo District in Central Ethiopia

Yohannes Horamo, Mulatu Chernet
Int. J. Biosci.25( 3), 117-128, September 2024.
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Abstract

The soil loss in Ethiopia in general and particularly in Central Ethiopia has becoming critical to be considered as burning issue in relation to crop production. In Central Ethiopia, the need for physical soil and water conservation is high and farmers are constructing both soil bund and fanya juu on their farms. With this fact the pragmatic approach based research was conducted to investigate the effects of soil bund and fanya juu bund on crop (wheat) yield of the farmers. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) three position (lower, middle and upper) with seven levels of replication and the wheat crop as a test were used for this investigation. Data on plant height, 1000 seed weight, number of seed per spike, grain yield and day to 50% spiking were taken in consideration and of data collected. Considering the seven levels of replication treated plots of fanya juu bund showed 50.9% and treated plots of soil bund showed 43.2% greater yield than the control plots. Correlation analysis result showed significant correlation with most of the agronomic characteristics on level soil bund and fanya juu bund whereas showed insignificant correlation with control plot. The soil bund and fanya juu bund improved the yield of wheat crop in the study area. It appears important to suggest that further study should be conducted under different agro-ecological zones to attain more comprehensive results.

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