ISSN 2167-0447
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN 2167-0447 Vol. 5 (6), pp. 854-863, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Efficiency of contour bunds in controlling soil and nutrient losses from major agricultural land-use types in the Lake Victoria Catchment
Majaliwa Mwanjalolo Jackson Gilbert, Magunda Matthias K, Tenywa Makooma Moses, Semalulu Onesmus and Rusoke Charles
Makerere University, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256782428260; email: [email protected]
Agricultural Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256772518314, email: [email protected]
University, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256772827710, email: [email protected]
Agricultural Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. Tel. +256 772615009; email: [email protected]
Ministry of Agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, P.O. Box 102, Entebbe, Uganda. Tel: +256 77480062, e-mail: [email protected]
Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel. +256782428260.
Accepted 28 July, 2015
Abstract
This study determined the efficiency of contour bunds in controlling soil and nutrient losses from annual crops, bananas, coffee, and rangelands in the Lake Victoria catchment. Soil and nutrient losses were quantified using a runoff plot approach. Runoff plots measuring 15 m x 10 m were established on each agricultural land-use and were replicated four times for banana and three times for annual crops, coffee and rangelands.. Runoff data was collected for one year prior to the establishment of contour bunds. The bunds were hand constructed 5 m above each plots, and data was thereafter collected for three years. Soil and nutrient losses were significantly higher on annuals compared to other land-uses (P<0.05). Contour bunds efficiency in controlling soil loss increased linearly with time on all land-uses (P<0.05); while for runoff losses it gradually increased only for coffee and rangelands (P<0.05). For nutrient loss the contour bunds efficiency varied with the type of nutrient and land-use type.
Key words: Soil erosion, water pollution, Lake Victoria, nutrient transfers, Uganda.