ISSN 2167-0447
International Journal of Agricultural Sciences ISSN: 2167-0447 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 256-262, September, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Soil and nutrient losses in banana-based cropping systems of the Mount Elgon hillsides of Uganda: economic implications
1Semalulu Onesimus*, Didas Kimaro2, Valentine Kasenge3, Moses Isabirye4 and Patrick Makhosi1
1National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)-Kawanda. P.O. Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda.
2Department of Agricultural Engineering and Land Planning, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3003, Morogoro, Tanzania.
3College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
4Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment Busitema University, P. O. Box 236 Tororo, Uganda.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Received 09 July, 2012; Accepted 13 September, 2012
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of different farmer cropping and soil conservation practices on runoff, soil and nutrient loss in Bududa district, Uganda. Gerlach troughs measuring 0.6m length, 0.4 m width and 0.5 m high were installed on runoff plots (15 m x 2 m) on farmer’s fields under banana sole, banana-arabica coffee or annual crops, with or without soil conservation structures. Soil loss was significantly (P<0.05) higher on annuals than on banana or banana-coffee (38.5 vs 6.6 vs 0.87 t ha-1yr-1), with values much higher for fields without conservation structures compared to those where there were structures. The total monetary value for NPK lost through erosion was US $ 16,663, 4,404 and 442 ha-1yr-1 for annuals, banana and banana-coffee fields respectively; with values much higher for fields without conservation structures compared to those with structures (US $ 15,451 vs 6,058). Soil loss values were much higher than the tolerable limit for Uganda which is 5 t ha-1yr-1 and calls for immediate action to scale up sustainable land management practices.
Key words: Land degradation, management practices, monetary value, soil erosion, valuation.