Abstract

Wudnesh Naba, Birhanu Wolde*

Water erosion is the main agent of soil loss and land degradation in the steep slope areas of the Ethiopia. Continuous process of soil nutrient depletion is created on all over the mountain areas under the cause of poor water shed management, in appropriate farming system and intensive rain fall. The major constraints of farmer practice during at plough time could create rapid loss of soil organic matter, soil degradation and decline of environmental quality. There for it is substantial approach to create a better farming system to sustain environmental quality and agricultural production. So this study was accompanied in 3 farmer’s fields to investigate the significance of different cultivation practice on soil loss and maize yield under slope of 19% during cropping season in 2009 and 2011 E.C at Motkesa Kebele Basketo special woreda. Trial was laid out a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) through four treatments replicated three times on run off plots. Experimental treatments used in the area were (strip tillage, zero tillage, reduced tillage and farmer practice) with maize planting at spacing of 25 cm by 75 cm between plant and between rows respectively. According to the research result zero tillage decreased mean soil loss by 70%-74% compared with conventional tillage and zero tillage has a great potential of controlling soil erosion on steep lands. Additionally, zero tillage were effective in conserving soil moisture increased (36-42%) compared with conventional tillage practices. Depend with our research outcome we advise that in smallholder household farms, implementation of conservation agriculture had a cost-effective production management method, save raw materials, increase yield, and reduce manual labor. Other studies are encouraged in the same agro ecology to promote conservation agriculture system.