The Role of Soil Bunds Construction in Improving Soil Fertility In Jarso District, Western Ethiopia

Abstract To minimize severe soil erosion ,Physical soil and water conservation practices are being implemented by community campaign, NGOs and individually by farmers in Ethiopia, because it was resulting in reduction of crop production. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the role of physical SWC practices mainly soil bund in improving soil fertility. 18 Soil sample were taken from purposively selected four years, two years and non-conserved field. To analyze the collected data; SPSS V.21 and SAS (9.1 Version) were used both for descriptive and inferential data analysis. The study Results showed that significant relationship ( p < 0.05) was found between the plot relative to the soil bund and levels of pH, Available phosphorus,(P-av),Available Potassium(K av),Cation Exchange Capacity(CEC),Elictrical Conductivity(EC,Ntot) and SOC,SOM and Exchangeable bases(Mg,Na,Ca,) which are higher in conserved land which improve soil fertility status of the study area. From the study it was concluded that the conservation practices age have significant effects on selected soil fertilities. As the age of soil bund increase, fertility gain shown increment. The un-expected out come in this study is that available phosphorus showed no significant difference between two years and four years conserved farmland with soil bund. To realize sustainable development goals, it needs integrated planning, selecting the desired SWC structures, implementing and maintaining of soil conservation measures to save its consequence on the life of community .