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We would like to kindly inform you that an article on soil use in semi-arid Ethiopia has been published in the latest issue of the journal Soil and Tillage Research, one of the authors of which is Prof. Dr Jean Poesen (Department of Geology, Soil Science and Geoinformation, UMCS):
Taye, Gebeyehu, Samuale Tesfaye, Inge Van Parijs, Jean Poesen, Matthias Vanmaercke, Bas van Wesemael, Etefa Guyassaa, Jan Nyssen, Jozef Deckers, and Nigussie Haregeweyn. 2024. Impact of Soil and Water Conservation Structures on the Spatial Variability of Topsoil Moisture Content and Crop Productivity in Semi-Arid Ethiopia. Soil and Tillage Research 238 (May): 105998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2023.105998.
This study presents a comprehensive and insightful examination of soil moisture and its impact on crop productivity in semi-arid Ethiopia, offering valuable insights for sustainable agriculture. The meticulous research methodology, involving 21 large runoff plots with various soil and water conservation (SWC) structures, provides robust data on the effects of land use, slope gradient, and SWC structures on topsoil moisture content. The findings are striking; notably, the significant increase in soil moisture and corresponding rise in grain and biomass yields in plots with SWC structures. This highlights the effectiveness of SWC interventions in enhancing soil moisture and improving crop yields in challenging semi-arid conditions. The correlation between increased topsoil moisture content and higher crop yields is particularly compelling, underscoring the importance of soil moisture management in semi-arid agro-ecosystems. Overall, this study is a testament to the importance of tailored land management practices in boosting agricultural productivity and sustainability in semi-arid environments.
Publication list of Institute staff
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