Assessment of soil and landform characteristics for implementation of conservation agriculture in West Usambara Mountains, Lushoto District, Tanzania
Abstract
117 words
Developing strategies that promote conservation agriculture in
the West Usambara Mountains in Tanzania poses a particular
challenge. This research used empirical and qualitative method
to assess soil and landform characteristics in relation to
predominant five conservation agriculture practices on the
landscape. Chemical and physical properties of composite
samples (0-25cm) from terraces, miraba (a local technique),
raised beds, fallow and fields with no conservation were
determined. Results indicated that the differences in total
nitrogen, organic carbon, base saturation, available phosphorus,
CEC, and pH were statistically significant (p=0.05). In most
cases ‘miraba’ had better values of CEC, P (Bry) and total
nitrogen. Since construction of ‘miraba’ is far cheaper than
terraces, efforts should be put towards improving this technique.
Subjects
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