Effectiveness of Fanya Chini terraces on soil properties and crop yield in the north-wester!' part of the Uluguru mountains, Morogoro, Tanzania.
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Date
2001
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted in the north-western part of the Uluguru
Mountains, Morogoro District, to determine the effect of Fanya chini terraces on
selected soil chemical and physical properties and crop performance. Eighteen
experimental plots of 12 m x 3 m were established on farmers' fields. Plots with
Fanya chini terraces were compared with those with no conservation structures.
Maize (Zea mays L.) was used as the test crop. No inorganic fertiliser was applied in
order to reflect farmers’ practices in the area. Soil samples from the experimental
plots taken at the beginning (initial) and at the end (final) of the study were analysed
to assess the changes in soil physical and chemical characteristics that had occurred
during the cropping period.
Most of the observed soil chemical variables were slightly (but insignificantly) higher
in plots that had no conservation structures (unconserved plots) and their magnitude
tended to increase along the slope. Organic carbon, total nitrogen and exchangeable
calcium showed a significant increase (P = 0.05) in unconserved plots in the final soil
samples. There was a significant difference (P = 0.01) in PR between the Fanya chini
terraced plots and unconserved plots both at the beginning and at the end of the
experiment. Fanya chini terraced plots had mean PR value of 0.69 and 1.81 MPa
compared to unconserved plots which had mean PR values of 0.78 and 1.71 MPa at
the beginning and at the end of the experiment, respectively. Maize grain yield and
biomass were not significantly different between the Fanya chini terraced and
unconserved plots. However, grain yield and biomass were relatively higher in the
unconserved plots and they tended to increase along the slope. The exposure and
spread of the subsoil from the Fanya chini channels that were about 30 to 50 cm deep may have resulted into the reduced soil fertility and the resultant lower yield observed under Fanya chini terraces. Fanya chini terraces are not the best soil conservation measure on steep slopes. Where they are already in place, Fanya chini terraces should be complemented with other soil surface management practices.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Soil chemical, Soil fertilizer, Fanya Chini terraces, Terrace farming, Water conservation