Cause and cost of onsite nutrient loss replacement in the highlands of Ethiopia and implication of Soil and Water Conservation measures

Kefyialew Tilahun Ejegue*

Soil erosion and nutrient depletion has been a major national agenda and remains an important issue in the highlands of Ethiopia. In this review it was found that onsite nutrients are lost in agricultural land in the form of soil erosion, crop residue removal, harvested products, gaseous and leaching losses. Most of the essential plant nutrients are found on the top surface soil and hence the top layer of the soil is subjected to soil erosion and most onsite nutrients have been lost. Similarly, crop residue removal is a common activity in the highland of Ethiopia and causes a continuing onsite nutrient loss problem. Hence, soil nutrient depletion is becoming a major challenge for agricultural production. Moreover, nutrient loss from agricultural land became an economic loss to the farmers by both reducing crop yield and increasing the replacement cost of nutrient loss. Practicing proper soil and water conservation measures had a positive impact on the reduction of onsite nutrient losses and consequently increased crop productivity. However, limited studies have been reported on the impact of soil and water conservation practices on nutrient loss in Ethiopia. As a result, further studies need to conduct on the implication of soil and water conservation measures on a nutrient loss management.

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Published on: Apr 7, 2021 Pages: 154-163

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/2455-815X.000103
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