Effect of Soil and Water Conservation Measures on Selected Soil Physicochemical Properties and Sorghum Yield at Babile District, East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia

Frezer Yemane Tesfaye* and Hussien Abro

Climate change, Soil degradation, drought, and moisture stress were the main problems for annual crop production and soil productivity in the eastern part of Ethiopia. Using moisture, physical soil, and water conservation measures improves soil water retention capacity and crop production. The study was done to evaluate the effect of SWC measures on selected soil physicochemical properties and Sorghum yield in the Lowland area of Babile district, East Harrarghe Zone, Ethiopia. The soil pH in the experimental area varied from 7.89 to 8.36, with an average value of 8.01, which is moderately alkaline. This is not a severe problem for plant growth, and better biomass and yield of sorghum were gained from tied ridges across the structures. Whereas relatively low yields were harvested from the control with no structure, which indicates a significant difference between the measures. However, the height of the plant was non-significant. Soil and water conservation with Tied ridge and level soil bund significantly improved the soil qualities (soil pH, K+, available P, SOC, TN, clay, and CEC) compared to Contour furrow and control, improving the soil properties and thereby improving sorghum yield. Tied ridge and level soil bund were recommended for the study area and the same agro ecology for sorghum production and soil moisture conservation. There, the two recommended soil and water conservation practices should be demonstrated and promoted. Further research should be done on the integration of these recommended physical soil and water conservation and biological measures with annual crop production for the study area and the same agrology. 

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Published on: May 13, 2026 Pages: 8-12

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/2455-815X.000231
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