Title: Effects of manure application rates on soil loss and crop yields

Authors: Taffa Tulu

Addresses: Addis Ababa University, College of Natural and Computational Science, Centre for Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract: Application of manure is one of the most cost effective and important methods of soil and water conservation for it has the capacity of improving soil chemical and physical properties to affect runoff, soil loss and crop yield. With the above point in view, a study was carried out in a region of Ethiopia with the objective of analysing the effect of manure application rate on soil erosion and crop yield. 24 experimental plots were established and eight rates of manure applications with three replicates arranged in randomised complete block design were used for the investigation. The manure application was kept uniform as much as possible. Each plot was uniformly broadcasted with wheat. The effectiveness of the manure application rate in preventing the detachment of soil particles was analysed. Application of manure had improved soil properties reducing runoff and soil loss, and increased total biomass, straw and grain yields. The data were fitted well to the exponential model. The achieved results are useful to farmers, extension services and policy makers.

Keywords: biomass; crop yield; exponential model; manure application rate; runoff; soil loss.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2017.090292

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, 2017 Vol.3 No.3, pp.171 - 180

Received: 20 Feb 2017
Accepted: 13 Jun 2017

Published online: 09 Mar 2018 *

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