COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCE

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

REVIEW ON FARMER PERCEPTION ON SOIL FERTILITY

MANAGEMENT

A SENIOR SEMINAR PAPER SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT

OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE COURSE REQUIREMENT

FOR BSC. DEGREE IN NARM.

Prepared By: - ID No

Birhan sisay Ugr /10217/13

Advisory : (Mr) yared Gelaw

February 2024

Asella ,Ethiopia

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Acknowledgement
First of all, I give thanks to creator (GOD) almighty for his protection, guidance and
provision of wisdom and strength during entire and education up to know.Secondly,
convey our deepest thanks to our advisory Ms:yared. The completion of this paper
may not be possible without his generous devotion from his genuine and energetic
encouragement, suggestions and guidance to complete this senior seminar paper.

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Contents

LIST OF TABLE
Table 1: Distribution of farmers’ perception of main causes of soil erosion.............................7
LIST OF FIGURE
Figure 1: Gully erosion.............................................................................................................9
Figure 2:( A) Root growth in a soil with no mechanical impedance problems (B) with
mechanical impedance............................................................................................................10
Figure 3: Losses of nutrients through different routes from soil.............................................11
Figure 5: soil pollution............................................................................................................12
ACCRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

FAO: Food and Agricultural Organization

IFDC: International Fertilizer Development Center

ISFM: Integrated Soil Fertility Management

ISSS: International Soil Science Society

PH: Power of Hydrogen

SFM: Soil Fertility Management

SSA: Sub-Saharan Africa

SSSA: Soil Science Society of America

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 Abstract
Soil is one of the most essential natural resources known in globally. The aim of this
paper is to review farmers’ perceptions about soil fertility management. Soil fertility
management is one of the core problems that deteriorate agriculture, declining per
capita crop production on smallholder farm and leads poverty and starvation. The
causes to these rooted problems are the land degradation exhibited in form of soil
fertility loss, as initiated by different factors as deforestation, overgrazing and with a
result of soil erosion, sedimentation, pollution, etc. Moreover, Soil erosion is an
imperative environmental deterioration that leads to serious impact on physical,
economic and ecological. Therefore, the use of integrated soil fertility management
encompasses the combination of manure, compost, agro forestry, use of vegetation,
organic matter, green manuring, and soil conservation practices such as terraces,
contour farming, minimum tillage, residue management to keep soil fertility. The
indicators (soil color, texture, soil depth, topography, soil drainage, and distance
from home) are used by farmers to evaluate and monitor soil fertility.

Key words: - Farmer perception, integrated soil fertility management, soil erosion,
soil fertility, soil fertility management

Soil is the collection of natural bodies on the earth surface in place modified or even
made by man of earthy material containing living matter and supporting or capable of
supporting plant out of doors (Marco and Maatman, 2002). Soil is one of the natural
resource under high pressure and this is increasing from year to year resulting in poor
fertility. As a result, the current and updated information is necessary concerning to
soil fertility (Brady, 1999).

Soil is the most complex ecosystem in the world; and which is essential to life
through recycling on nutrients, carbon, and oxygen and is made up of solids; and also

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soil is the unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the
earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants (SSSA, 2008).

Soil fertility is the capacity of soil to supply sufficient quantities and proportions of
essential chemical elements(nutrient) and water required for optimal growth of
specified plants as governed by the soils chemical, physical, and biological
attributes(Mat,2005). The soil fertility is a complex quality of soil that is closest to
plant nutrient management and it is the most important asset of a nation (Ibid). Soil
fertility is the status of a soil with respect to its ability to supply elements essential for
plant growth without a toxic concentration of any element. Soil fertility can be readily
altered by the application of soil amendments (Henry and Boyd, 1996).

Integrated Soil Fertility Management defined as: A set of soil fertility management
practices that necessarily include the use of fertilizer, organic inputs and lime,
combined with the knowledge on how to adapt these practices to local conditions,
aiming at optimizing agronomic use efficiency of the applied nutrients and improving
crop productivity (Okalebo et al., 2007). The focus on soil fertility replenishment
should be integrated nutrient management involving the application of leguminous,
mulches, agroforestry, composting as well as technologies that reduce the risks of
acidification and Salinization (Mat, 2005). The aim of soil management is to maintain
the fertility and structure of soil. Highly fertile soil results in high crop yield, good
cover, in condition which minimized the erosive effects of rain drops, run off and
wind (Morgan, 1996).

Most of the reviews have indicated the soil erosion and associated decline in soil
fertility and organic matter deplete developing information about major constraints to
agricultural production in Ethiopia. It is believed generally, that has been a dramatic
decline in the fertility of agricultural soil throughout the country as a result of farmers
reducing fallow period and low number of animal owned do not provide sufficient
manure to fertilize crop land (Eyasu, 2002).

Farmer perception about soil fertility: Farmers have almost common criteria to
evaluate and identify their soils. Some criteria are colour, depth, and structure. Soil

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colour is important criterion for farmers. Usually, field were characterized as
fertile(Lem, good/high) or infertile(Derek, bad/low).The most common management
practice used by farmers to restore soil fertility were the use of green and grain
legumes, application of in organic fertilizer and compost manure(Group idea).

The important of selecting this seminar title is due the necessity of knowing the
farmers perception, their knowledge level on soil fertility and its management practice
and identifying the gaps.

1.1. Objective of the Review

 The general objective of this paper is to review the perception of the farmers
on soil fertility management.

CHAPTER TWO

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Definition of Concepts and Terms

Perception refers to an individual’s current appraisal of an object or program (Hikson

and Keith, 2000).
Perception is a process by which information or stimuli is received and transformed
in to psychological awareness (Ibid).
Soil is one of the natural resource bodies of earth surfaces (Group idea).
Soil fertility is the capacity of the soil to supply the plant nutrients required by the
crop plants in available form and hence, it is the capacity of soil produce crops of
economic value to maintain the health of soil for future use (Brady, 1999).
Soil fertility is a component of overall soil productivity that deals with its available
nutrients out of its own reserves and through external applications for crop production
(Group idea).
Soil fertility management is a measure used to create soil chemical condition that
encourage plant growth and supply required nutrients, in the amount and the time they

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are important. Soil quality is a fundamental importance for agricultural production
and soil fertility improvement is increasing becoming central issues in the decision on
food security, poverty reduction and environmental management (Scronth and
Sinclair, 2002).
Soil fertility management is one of the important agricultural sectors. Lack of soil
fertility causes decreased yields and many plant diseases are also related to poor soil
fertility. If soil fertility is not good, crop are not in optimal condition and are thus
more susceptible to diseases and pests (Mat, 2005). The persistence of diseases and
pests resulted in low productivity levels, again treating further livelihoods of natural
communities, and such condition can be avoided by improving the condition of the
soil (Ibid).

Integrated soil fertility management refers to a set of soil fertility management

practices that necessary include the use of fertilizer, organic inputs, and improved
crop variety combined with the knowledge on how to adapt these practices to local
condition, aiming at maximizing agronomic use of efficiency of the applied nutrients
and improving crop productivity(Vanawe et al., 2010).
.

2.2. Local Concepts of Soil Fertility

According to Kant and Defoer (1994) farmer’s perception of soil fertility is not
limited to the soil nutrient status. Fertility is assessed through outcomes; such as crop
performance and yield, and includes all soil factors affecting plant growth
(Ibid).Barry and Ejigu (2005)also that farmer used various criteria to judge soil
fertility. Among the different criteria used, crop yield decline as predominate
interms of frequency followed by soil color change, farmer’s response to artificial
fertilizer, weed infestation and indicator plants.

In fact, the farmer’s interpretation of soil fertility reflects the definition of soil
productivity used by international soil science society (ISSS). The ISSS describes it is
the capacity of soil in its normal environment to produce a specified plant or sequence

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of plants under a particular systems of a particular management (ISSS, 1996). Talawar
and Rhoades (1997) also found that farmers see soil fertility as a multifaceted
concept. It includes factors such as the soil capacity, drainage, tillage, and manure
requirements and how easy it is to work.

2.3. Farmers Knowledge of Soil Fertility

When they were asked to categories of different levels of soil fertility, the farmers in
the Canada classified their land in to three causes; fertile land (thick), moderately
fertile land and infertile (thin) land (Kant and Defoer, 1994).According to farmers,
this influences the depth of the soil, its suitability particular crop, and crop
productivity on a given top sequence thick (fertile) soil usually represents deep soil
(>100cm).They mostly appear in valley bottoms and terraces and are generally found
further down the slope than moderately fertile soil. Infertile soils are found on the
upper portion of top sequence and are usually shallow (Ibid). According to farmers
response, farmers’ fields were characterized as fertile (good) where it comprise black
color, Cracks during dry season, Good crop performance, vigorous growth of certain
plants, presence of plants in a dry environment, abundance of earth worms whereas
infertile (bad) where it shows yellow/white and red colors, compacted soils, stunted
plant growth, presence of bracken ferns and presence of rocks and stones(Brady,
2002).

2.4. The Importance of Local Knowledge

According to Genene et al., (2003) perception and knowledge of farmer is crucial for
successful research and development strategies. Soil fertility is declining in many
parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (Stoorvogal et al., 1993). One of the major
constraints to crop production faced by small holder subsistence farmers is inadequate
supply of nutrients (Quinones et al., 1998). Farmers are either entirely abandoning the
traditional practice of using natural fallow for long enough for it to be effective. The
use of mineral fertilizers is declining as they are increasingly beyond the means of

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most small-scale farmers. Erosion and sever run off are further depleting existing soil
nutrient reserves, while level of soil organic matter are declining as land is subject to
overuse (Ibid).

Assessing farmers’ perceptions is an important means to evaluate their knowledge

level on a particular issue (Hikson and Keith, 2000). Sustaining soil fertility has
become a major issue for agricultural research and development in SSA. Improving
farmer knowledge and their capacity to observe and experiment is an essential
element in the development of integrated soil fertility management technologies
(Ibid). It is also important to build on local systems of knowledge as they related to
specific location and is based on experience and understandings of local conditions of
population. Such systems are source of site specific ecological information and
provide the key to understanding peoples socio-cultural condition (Pawl et al., 1992).

2.5. Significant of Integrated Soil Fertility

In Ethiopia, it is a well -known fact that, recommendation is based on a natural level,

forwarded by the government, which is known as the blanket recommendation. This
recommendation does not consider the local condition, regardless of the various
researchers done under different local condition, hence it remained partially
unsuccessful and it is thought by farmers that increasing yield through fertilizer
application is very difficult and unachievable by their capacity (Abera and Belachew,
2011). That is because the green revolution thought the government of Ethiopia incurs
the farmer in to high cost of fertilizer and pesticides, even if a credit facility is
provided to the farmers, he or she cannot afford the cost as the yield obtained is not
balancing it well(Ibid).

Integrated soil fertility management should be applied in a manner that all sorts of soil
fertility loss are minimizing such as soil erosion and nutrient mining from the soil and
causes the results for these two major problems (Abera and Belachew, 2011). IFDC
Africa promotes ISFM through a participatory and process oriented approach that
builds on solid understandings of local settings, indigenous knowledge and scientific
expertise, and targets at different special and temporal scales, both technological and
institutional change. The complexity of farmer reality much emphasis on farmers

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experimentation and participatory learning, and building of partnerships between soil
fertility management stakeholder(farmers, credit providers, input dealers, research and
extension agencies, government) from village to district to national level (Macro and
Maatman, 2002).Increasing farmers’ knowledge and perception may be the important
consideration for the dissemination of any improved technology for crop production
(Group idea).

2.6. Causes of Soil Fertility Decline/Loss

All the fertility losses there are various causes in the different regions of the country,
in totality the major causes to soil fertility decline is a land degradation which is
caused through the different agents such as soil erosion, Deforestation, overgrazing,
sedimentation, continuous farming, and pollution. (Njeru et al., 2011).

According to Genene (2003) the farmer perceived causes of soil erosion, which led to
soil depletion. From the results obtained, it shows that the main cause of soil erosion
is excessive rainfall (85%) followed by Poor soil conservation technology (80%)
while bush burning as perceived cause of soil erosion by farmers in Nigeria. Over
grazing (15%) and crop residue removal accounted for the least perceived causes of
soil erosion by the farmers.

Bewket (2011) also confirm that farmers of the northern part of Ethiopia constrain
crop production problems from several decades, more than 73% of the farmer’s
countenance soil erosion. Soil erosion marker listed by the farmers included loss of
topsoil, deforestation, development of rills, the carry away of seeds and seedlings by
rain, water logging in low land fields etc.

Table 1: Distribution of farmers’ perception of main causes of soil erosion

Main cause Frequency %

Excessive rainfall 51 85.0
Poor soil conservation technology 48 80.0
Bush burning 43 71.7

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Over cultivation 34 56.7
Population pressure on land 19 31.7
Over grazing 9 15.0
Crop residue removal 3 5.0

2.6.1. Deforestation

The forest covers declining from time to time. Deforestation accelerates erosion, and
both wind and water, and hence cause considerable nutrient movement (Deacon,
1999). Secondly, the amount of differ that could have contributed forwards maintain
the soil organic matter is considerable and reduce. Thirdly, deforestation in the high
land cause lack of full wood and hence farmers use, manure and crop residues as
cooking fuel, which otherwise could have been for soil fertility replenishment (Ibid).

According to Oldman et al (1991) deforestation or loss of vegetation is the direct

result of human created effects. That is vegetation cover reduced through agriculture,
food, fuel wood, housing, and industrial purposes, but there are exceptions that human
systems are not the only causes of vegetation loss but also natural systems such as
sudden flood, lighting and the like can be matters of vegetation loss.

2.6.2. Loss of Top Soil by Erosion

The top soil is rich in nutrients and organic matter and loss of the fertile top soil
components through erosion by water and wind results in decreased fertility. Natural
and normal geological erosion is the erosion of the land in its natural states
undisturbed by human activity, uneven land surfaces are being continually eroded by
running water, wind ices or other geology.

The basic causes of soil erosion are the results of human activities such as cutting tree,
overgrazing, poor soil management. The process of soil erosion is low, but the erosion
may be varying in its rate and magnitude (Morgan, 1996). The major causes to soil
erosion and sedimentation are not only high intensities of rainfall and floods, but the
problem is much aggravated by deforestation and overgrazing, in the absence of the
two, soil erosion and sedimentation will remain to the minimum (Abera, 2003). The

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major cause for soil fertility decline has been explained according to Abera (2003),

but for convenience of this review we concentrated on two issues: the soil erosion
and continuous cultivation as major causes of soil fertility decline; because the other
causes are the contributors for the two major causes soil erosion and continuous
cultivation in relation to soil fertility decline.

In most parts of Africa particularly the east Africa, the major causes to soil fertility
decline are the soil erosion, poor organic matter management, continuous cultivation,
etc. In study made in Kenya, the causes to soil fertility decline are given different
scores and then ranked to screen out the major cause and it is found that erosion is the
first major cause to the problem(Jaetzold et al., 2006).

Accelerated soil erosion takes place when the soil is additionally disturbed by the
action of man and something by animals and its disturbance is such dimension that
measures cannot cope up with it (Ibid).

Figure 1: Gully erosion

2.6.3. Nutrient Mining

At present nutrient mining is a major threat to productive sustainable farming; it is a

wide spread problem in low and medium input agriculture. Nutrient mining is

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accelerated by imbalanced fertilization (Source: http:// agropedialaps.iitk.ac.in). It
results in the exhaustion of any nutrient required in moderate to large amounts.
Nutrient mining can be severe in the case of N, P, K, and S depending on soil nutrient
reserves and the amounts replenished. The problem is more acute in areas where high
yielding varieties of crops are being cultivated (Ibid).
2.6.4. Physical Degradation of Soil

Physical degradation of soil (poor structure, compaction, crusting and water logging)
reduces soil fertility. Soil structure is at available soil property that, from an
agronomic point of view, can improve or deteriorate (Source: http://
agropedialaps.iitk.ac.in). High disturbance of soils (tillage) often results in some
structural deterioration, which can be reversed to different degrees. Soil compaction
decreases the number of large pores (>100um) and, as these are the ones through
which roots grow most easily, compaction can have an adverse effect on root growth.
Water logging causes loss of ‘’N’’ through denitrification of nitrate (Ibid).

Figure 2:( a) Root growth in a soil with no mechanical impedance problems (B)
with mechanical impedance

2.6.5. Decrease in Organic Matter Content and Soil Bioactivity

The decreased levels of organic matter causes a strong reduction in soil fertility as its
plays several roles in soil. Decreased organic matter levels results in poor physical,

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chemical and biological properties (Source: http:// agropedialaps.iitk.ac.in). The
microbial activities in soil decrease due to reduced levels of organic matter. These
microbial activities play significant role in nutrient availability and recycling (Ibid).

2.6.6. Loss of Nutrients through Various Routes

Losses of nutrients from soil can be caused by soil erosion, leaching crop removal or
in the form of gases (as in case of N and to a lesser extent S). Nutrient removal by
crop products compared with external nutrient input can be similar, high or lower,
Negative nutrient balances result where nutrients removals exceeds nutrient additions
(Source: http:// agropedialaps.iitk.ac.in). Excessive rain fall, or excessive irrigation,
resulting in the passage of water through the soil profile through deep percolation will
carry with it soluble nutrients, particularly nitrate, sulphate and boron etc. Ammonia
volatilization from urea and some ammonium containing fertilizers results in losses of
nitrogen from soil (Ibid).

Figure 3: Losses of nutrients through different routes from soil

2.6.7. Soil Acidification, Salinization, and Alkalinisation

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Causes reduction in soil fertility and eventually lead to problems of nutrient
deficiencies, toxicities and imbalances. Factor responsible for soil degradation are
generally interrelated (Source: http:// agropedialaps.iitk.ac.in).
2.6.8. Inefficient Soil Management

Poor or inefficient soil management result in decreased soil fertility tremendously.

Excessive soil tillage leads to erosion of the soil, which leads to reduced soil fertility
(Source: http:// agropedialaps.iitk.ac.in).

2.6.9. Soil Pollution

It is the presence of toxic chemicals (pollutant or contaminant) in soil in high enough

concentration to be of risk to human health and or ecosystem (Source: http://
agropedialaps.iitk.ac.in). It is caused by indiscriminate use of fertilizers and
indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals like pesticides, herbicide, insecticides and heavy
metal reduces fertility of soil by affecting the soil biological properties. The growth of
useful soil organisms is adversely affected, which eventually causes a decline in
biological soil fertility (Ibid).

Figure 4: soil pollution

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2.7. Soil Fertility Management Practice
According to Hudson (1987), there are two types’ soil fertility management, mianly
physical and biological soil fertility management.

2.7.1 Biological Practices

Biological soil fertility management include; use of vegetation, agro forestry, compost,
manure, green manure, and the like. According to (1996), a dense vegetation cover used to
prevent splash erosion; reduces the velocity of surface runoff; facilitates accumulation of soil
particles; increase surface roughness which reduces runoff and increases infiltration.

2.7.1. 1. Use of Vegetation

Crop vegetation which covers the surface well land has extensive root systems reduce
soil erosion. Plant canopy protect soil from the adverse effects of rainfall (Scronth and
Sinclair, 2002). The grasses and legumes produce dense so, which help in reduction of
soil erosion. The vegetation provides organic matter to the soil is improving the
physical condition of soil (Ibid).

2.7.1.2. Agro Forestry System and Practices

Agro forestry comprises all forms of land use in which woody species like tree, are
grown in combination with other vegetation or animals, the most important goal are :-
prevent the loss of nutrients; provide protection from wind and water erosion; provide
organic mulch material; produce valuable products; make the environment more
suitable for livestock(source: www.agroforestry.org).

Some advantages of agro forestry are:-if tree are planted, it becomes easier to
obtain certain products. Fruit trees provide a valuable addition to the diet, the leaves
or fruit from trees can be feed to livestock, and the wood can be used for fire wood.
Some woody species contain substances that serve as medicine (Ibid). Livestock can
also profit from trees planted in pasture land. The trees provide shade and a lower
temperature, so the animals perspire less and require less water to drink. Tree and
shrubs can form hedges that protect crops and soil from wind and water of a heavy
rains running off over the surface of the soil. Increase biological activities in the soil
by providing biomass and suitable microclimate (Scronth and Sinclair, 2002).

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2.7.1.3. Green Manuring

Green manuring is any crop grown to increase soil fertility, which consists of
ploughing in green, not woody plants. It can also come from a shade plant or tree
whose cuttings or fallen leaves are suitable for ploughing in to the soil (Eyasu, 2002).
They are plants that can provide nitrogen to the soil through their ability to fix
nitrogen. The decomposition of green manure is rapid, but residual effects are
recognized (Ibid). The positive effects of green manure on crop yield had explained
on the basis of action exchange between root surface colloids.

The goal of green manuring are to:-improve the soil structure; make nutrients
available for the main crop; increase or retain the level of organic matter in the soil;
increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture; and, when using leguminous plants
as green manure, to fix extra nitrogen out of the air, which becomes available to the
main crop after the manure has been ploughed in to the soil (Gumbo, 2006).

Some benefits of green manuring are: - recycling of nutrients; production of biomass;

prevention of soil erosion; high quality fodder and not transportation; increase the
level of soil organism; acts like a live mulch; increase the humus content of the soil
thus improve its physical properties; reduce nutrient loss by preventing leaching;
when legumes are used, they improve the nitrogen content of the soil. Some examples
of locally available green manure are like cowpea, peanuts, beans, soya bean (Ibid).

2.7.1.4. Manure

According to Gebeyaw (2015) most farmers take various measures for different land
use types to improve soil fertility in Dawuro Zone. 100% of the farmers use farm yard
manure to maintain soil fertility of homestead gardens especially for enset farm land.
Manure is obtained by the fermentation of faces and litter of animals. It consists of
animal excrement, usually mixed with straw or leaves. The amount and quality of the
excrement depend on the animals feed (source: www.agromisa.org).

Good manure contains more than just excrement and urine. There are different types
of manures used locally, like poultry manure is high in nitrogen and for leafy
vegetables. Straw and leaves are added and it is aged. Ageing is necessary to retain all
of the nutrients. Using aged manure is ideal method to retain and increase soil
fertility. The goals of applying manure are to:-increase the level of organic matter;

14
increase the available nutrients; improve the structure (aggregate formation) and water
retention capacity of the soil (Bekeko, 2013).

2.7.1.5. Compost

Compost is a mixture of organic residues and rich in nutrients that are readily
available to the plants such as decomposed vegetation, manure, etc., used as a
fertilizer (source: www.anancy.net). The process take place under controlled
conditions in heaps or pits. Its goal is increases the level of organic matter in the soil,
which has a positive effect on the soil organism, soil structure, infiltration, water
retention capacity (Ibid).

Some advantages of compost are:-through composting, diseases and pest as well as

weed seed are destroyed because the temperature in the compost heap is so high that
they can survive. Some materials have a very high C: N ratio, which can result in the
immobilisation of nitrogen. After composting, the C: N ratio is decreased and the
rough material is largely decomposed (Bekeko, 2013).

2.7.1.6. Mulching

Mulch is an organic or inorganic cover on the surface of the soil to protect the plant
and the soil. Mulching is the process of covering the top soil with plant material such
as leaves, grass, crop residues or straw, or with other material such as plastic or
gravel.

The goal of mulching are to improve infiltration; protect soil from wind and wind
erosion; prevent high ground temperatures; increase the moisture level in the soil and,
when mulching with organic materials, to increase or retain the level of organic matter
in the soil; better utilize the nutrients from chemical fertilizer; stimulate soil
organisms (Getachew and Chilit 2009).

The uses of mulching offer several benefits such as: provides a source of plant
important nutrients; maintain the optimal soil moisture level; protect plant root from
extreme temperature; decreases water and wind erosion; by applying a mulch layer,
15
the sun is blocked and the day time temperature is lower, which is favourable for seed
germination, the crops root growth, and for the growth of micro-organisms (Ibid).

2.7.1.7. Organic Matter

Organic matter is the undecomposed, semi decomposed or decomposed product or by

product of animals and plants that when applied to the soil is covered into the dark
coloured complex known as humus. The most commonly local available organic
fertilizers are cattle manure, poultry manure, compost, seaweed, pig manure, sawdust,
grass and leaf litter, green manure and coconut coir(source: www.ciat.cgiar.org).

Organic matter is very important in soil fertility management because it has many
properties that help increase soil fertility and improve soil structure. Organic matter
has great capacity to retain nutrients, this is especially important in sandy soils, which
retain very few nutrients (Charman and Rope 2007). Organic matter can also retain a
lot of water, which means that in dry periods more water is available for the plant for
a longer time. Organic matter can improve the soil structure-this is important for both
sand and clay soil, because they have a poor structure. Organic matter stimulates the
available to the plants (Ibid).

2.7.1.8. Green Fallow Period

In a green fallow period, species are sown or favoured that have better qualities than
the species that would normally grow spontaneously in the fallow period. The goal of
green fallow is to quickly restore soil fertility. Traditionally, fallow periods are used
to restore the soil fertility that commonly grows between crops. Many of these types
of weed cannot complete with the weeds that grow during the fallow period. The
advantage of green fallow period is that the restoration of soil fertility will take
placing faster (Mat, 2005).

Add in the Biological Section

9. Crop Rotation

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2.7.2. Physical Practices
Physical soil fertility management are essentially designed to reduce soil and water losses by
reducing the length and the gradient of slopes and thus increasing water infiltration in to the
soil and making the soil on those slopes less vulnerable to erosion by the forces of rainfall and
runoff ( MOARD, 2005).

2.7.2.1. Contour Farming

Contour farming involves ploughing, planting, weeding along the contour, i.e. across
the slope rather than up and down. Grass barrier strip planted along the contour. They
are planted with natural grass. They are effective soil conservation measures. These
can intensities, the water holding capacity of the land there by improving soil fertility
as whole (FAO, 2007).

2.7.2.2. Terraces

Terraces are eastern embankment installed at right angle to the steepest slope to
intercept the surface run off. It consists of excavated channels and bank bench terraces
is a type of terraces practiced on an area of steep slope is effective in control erosion
and increase the infiltration of rain water there by maintain soil fertility (FAO,
2007).And also, farmers used oxen to pull the local plough 'Maresha'. Most of the
farmers in the highland areas cultivated their land 4-5 times before planting cereals.
They argued that increasing the frequency of tillage is one way of improving soil
productivity. On the other hand, pulses were planted on marginal lands or with
minimum tillage (often ploughed once).

2.7.2.3. Gully Control Structure

Depending on the degree of degradation and expected water flow, both temporally
and permanent structure are used to recline quilted and related the flow in gully. In
many watersheds in arid and semi-arid area, temporary check dams would be
adequate. The structure range for 3-8 years, this period is generally sufficient to
realize to desired live of gully purging and stabilization of gully .Permanent structure
are built to rain fall concrete and should be used when the erosion severs
(Husdon,1992).

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2.7.2.4. Check Dam
Check dam is small, often temporary, dam constructed across a swale, drainage ditch,
or water way to counteract erosion by reducing water flow velocity. Check dam is
used for gully control may be made up of stone, soil, brush wood and wood inside the
holies to control soil erosion dominantly, brush wood and soil are used to construct
check dam. Diverting run-off from cultivation field to the main and community land
in very common. Now days, creation of awareness among the community supported
the gully rehabilitation and use of bush and stone check dams if available the
community road and farm fields (Taffa, 2004).

2.7.2.5. Stone Bund

In the stone area, stone bund can be constructed along the steep. This type’s
permanent cross slop barriers is effective to the controlling of erosion. Conservation
in stone are stable and can be utilized decreasing of runoff (Taffa, 2004).

2.7.2.5. Tillage Management

2.7.2.5. Mulching

2.7.3. Chemical Practices

2.7.3.1. Soil Liming

Liming is the application of calcium and magnesium rich materials to the soil to
increase the soil “PH”. And also, liming is the process of adding lime, steel slag, or
other materials to make the soil less acidic and improve conditions for the growth of
plants and microorganisms. Liming an acidic soil means that the farmer can grow a
wide range of crops. Dolomite is applied as a liming agent (Lalanne et al., 1998).

A serious problems faced by many farmers in the tropics is the extreme acidity of
their soil. Factors that contribute acidic soil are: the use of chemical fertilizers, the
removal of crop residues that contain basic elements such as calcium, magnesium,
potassium and sodium, washing away of basic elements from the soil, and the
decomposition of fresh organic material in to nutrients. The soil can be made less
acidic by adding lime (Ibid).

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Factors Affecting soil fertility management practice
adoption by Farmers

CHAPTER THREE

Conclusion AND Recommendations

3.1. Conclusion

Soil is one part of natural resource under high pressure and this increasing from year
to year resulting in poor fertility. These are the result of deforestation, loss of top soil
by erosion, nutrient mining, and physical degradation of soil, soil acidification,
inefficient soil management, soil pollution, and the like. These adverse effects have
great alteration on soil fertility by the application of soil amendments. Most of the
reviews have indicated the soil erosion and associated decline in soil fertility and
organic matter deplete to agricultural production in Ethiopia. Due to these reasons,
soil fertility management is drafted for soil fertility replenishment. Integrated soil
fertility management is a set of soil fertility management practices that necessarily
encompasses the use of fertilizer, green manure, compost, other organic input and
lime, combine with the knowledge on how to adapt this practice to local condition,
aiming at optimizing agronomic use efficiency of the applied nutrients and improve
crop productivity.

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 Recommendation

Based on this review forward the following outlooks

 An integrated soil fertility and nutrient management should be organized with
the provision that all categories of farmers are involved.
 Special attention should be focused on the development of farmers’ skills for
preparation and use of organic manures.
 Initiatives should be taken to increase the availability of information sources
and mass literacy program may be organized to improve farmers’ knowledge
and perception about integrated sol fertility management for sustainable crop
production.
 Creating awareness for farmers because of the perception of farmers towards
soil fertility management should be enhanced.
 Farmers’ local knowledge towards soil fertility management should be also
considered in the sustainability of ecology like land management.
 Community based soil fertility management practices should be adopted in
order to achieve the reduction in erosion hazards and ensure soil fertility as a
result and improved farmers’ livelihood.

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