Effectiveness of Mulching Under Miraba in Controlling Soil Erosion, Fertility Restoration and Crop Yield in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania (original) (raw)

Land Degradation & Development, 2014

Abstract

ABSTRACT Soil erosion is a major threat to food security in rural areas of Africa. Field experiments were conducted from 2011 – 2014 in Majulai and Migambo villages with contrasting climatic conditions in Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of mulching in reducing soil erosion and restoring soil fertility for productivity of maize (Zea mays) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) under miraba, a unique indigenous soil conservation measure in the area. Soil loss was significantly higher (p < 0.05) under miraba sole than under miraba with mulching e.g. 35 vs 20 and 13 vs 8 Mg ha-1 year-1 for Majulai and Migambo villages, respectively, in 2012. Soil fertility status was significantly higher (p < 0.05) under miraba with Tughutu mulching than under miraba sole e.g. 0.35 vs 0.25 % total N, 37 vs 22 mg kg-1 P and 0.6 vs 0.2 cmol (+) kg-1 K for Majulai village; 0.46 vs 0.38 total N, 17.2 vs 10.2 mg kg-1 P and 0.50 vs 0.2 cmol (+) kg-1 K for Migambo village. Maize and bean yields (Mg ha-1) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) under miraba with Tughutu mulching than under miraba sole, 2.0 vs 1.3 for maize and 0.9 vs 0.8 for beans in Majulai; 3.8 vs 2.6 for maize and 1.0 vs 0.8 for beans in Migambo village in 2012. This implies that Tughutu mulching is more effective in improving crop yield than Tithonia, though both could potentially protect the arable land from degradation caused by water erosion under miraba. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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