The influence of selected soil conservation practices on soil properties and crop yields in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania
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Date
2014-12-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SCIENCEDOMAIN international
Abstract
The Usambara Mountains in Tanzania are severely affected by soil erosion which has led to
deterioration of soil properties and reduced crop productivity. Indigenous soil erosion control
measures such as miraba which are widely practised in the area have yielded little success. Field plot
experiments were laid down in Majulai and Migambo villages from 2011 – 2014 on typical soils of the area (Acrisols). The aim was to single out soil properties developed under the studied soil
conservation practices and their impact on crop productivity with reference to maize (Zea mays) and
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beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Results showed that total N, OC, available P, Ca , Mg , K and Ph
were powerful (P = .05) attributes that discriminated conservation measures. Magnitudes of the
discriminating attributes followed the trend: miraba with Tughutu (Vernonia myriantha) mulching
>miraba with Tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) mulching > miraba sole > cropl and with no ‘Soil and
Water Conservation’ (SWC) measures (control). Contents ofmicro-nutrients did not differ significantly
with SWC measures except for Zn which was significantly (P = .05) lowin the control. Bulk density
and available moisture content (AMC) were also strong discriminators of conservation measures.
Maize and bean grain yields differed significantly (P = .05)with the trend: miraba with Tughutu >
miraba with Tithonia > miraba sole > control in both villages. Crop yields under miraba were a
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function of AMC and pH (R = 0.71); AMC, available P, Ca and K (R = 0.89) under miraba with
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Tithonia mulching; AMC, available P, Ca and K (R = 0.90) under miraba with Tughutu mulching.
These findings imply that miraba with Tughutu mulching had greater potential in improving soil
properties and crop yields than miraba with Tithonia mulching and miraba sole.
Description
Keywords
Tithonia, Soil erosion, maize yields, miraba, Tughutu, bean yields
Citation
DOI: 10.9734/AIR/2015/13647