http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/1762 Sat, 13 Jan 2001 08:24:57 GMT 2001-01-13T08:24:57Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/13583 Effects of Soil and Water Conservation Practices on Selected Soil Physical Properties, Slope Gradient Reduction, Sediment Trapping and Maize (Zea Mays L.) Yield in Gedel-Mender Watershed, Guangua District, North western Ethiopian Lowlands. Yihun, Esubalew Land degradation as a result of soil erosion is a prime problem in Ethiopia. To avert the problem, soil and water conservation practices (SWCPs) have been implemented by governmental and non-governmental organizations at large spatial scale based on the integrated watershed management approach. Although many studies have been conducted in the highlands of Ethiopia on the impact of SWCPs on soil physical properties, sediment trapping, slope gradient change and maize grain yield, similar studies in the lowlands of Ethiopia are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impacts of SWCPs on selected soil physical properties, sediment trapping, slope gradient change and Maize grain yield in Gedel Mender watershed, in the northwestern lowlands of Ethiopia was conducted. Physical and biophysical SWCPs were investigated. Field experiment was designed in four treatments with Fanya juu (FJR), stone-faced soil bund (SFSB), Fanya juu stabilized with vetiver grass (FJ+G), and control (C) with three replications at three landscape positions. The result showed that soil porosity (TSP), moisture content (SMC), the amount of trapped sediment by SWCPs, and maize grain yield and yield components were lower in the upper and middle landscape position compared with the lower landscape position. Higher balk density was observed on the untreated farm lands compared with farm lands treated with SWCPs. TSP, SMC and amount of trapped sediment was higher in farm lands treated with biophysical SWCPs (FJ+G) than fields treated with physical SWCPs (SFSB and pure FJR) alone and untreated farm lands. Soil and water conservation practices also trapped large amount of sediment (30 kg m-1 yr-1 to 100 kg m-1 yr-1 with an average sedimentation rate of 60.87 kg m-1 yr-1) that reduced soil transport downstream. Soil and water conservation practices also played a significant role in changing the slope gradient by forming bench terraces. High Maize grain yield and yield components were recorded inside the treated farmlands than the controlled farmlands. Therefore, this finding is believed to create awareness and convince farmers to implement SWCPs on their farmlands for sustainable land management and crop yield increment, and help policy makers better understand the role of SWCPS. Mon, 18 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/13583 2022-04-18T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/13580 Impact of Soil and Water Conservation Practices on Sediment Trap Ping, Soil Moisture Conservation, Slope Gradient Change ond Crop Yield in Dembecha District Gosho Watershed Northwest Highlands of Ethiopia Biadeglign, Yaregal Land degradation in the form of soil erosion is a major global issues as well as Ethiopian concern given the strong negative impacts on crop productivity. To overcome the problem the government and non-governmental organizations have invested the resources and effort to promote soil and water conservation practices were implemented in every year. However the impact of soil and water conservation practices in trapping sediment and reducing soil transport, minimizing slope gradient,& improving crop productivity has notyet been studied well to understand the impact at particular study watershed.Hence this study was conducted to evaluate and draw conclusion on the effectiveness of the selected 8 years biophysical soil and water conservation practicse on sediment trapping,slope gradient change soil moisture conservation and crop yield and yield components in Gosh watershed north west highland of Ethiopia as case study.Using field experiment three treatments were designed field treated with fanya-juu fields treated with soil bund and fields treated with a combination of fanyajuu ridge and treelucern with three replications at three slope classes.A total of 54 composite soil samples from 20 cm depth were collected for soil moisture analysis and field measurement for grain yield,slope gradient change and sediment trapping samples from 27 locations were collected and analyzed by SAS software version 9.2.The result shows that sediment trapping, slope gradient change soil moisture content bulk density and porosity have been significantly (P<0.05) influenced by soil and water conservation practices and land scape positions.Astatis tical;significant difference were observed from physical soil and water conservation practices compared to fanyajuu bund stabilized by treelucrn.The higher sediment stocked soil, moisture content, bulk density were obtained from integrated practices.in lower slope.On the contrary: slope gradient change and porosity were higher in the upper slope .Moreover untreated field showed significantly lower barley grain yieled & yield component,than the treated.From this study it was possible to conclude that soil water conservation practices tested the study water shed were appositive effect specially proper integration of physical soil & water conservation structure stabilizedby treelucern can be more productive. Therefore all physical soil & water conservations integrated with biological practices is better than physical alone. Mon, 18 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/13580 2022-04-18T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/13578 Effectivness and Adoption of Physical Soil and Water Conservation Measures in Dehana District; Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia Merka, Weynshet Soil and water conservation structures include all mechanical or structural measures that control the velocity of surface runoff and thus minimize soil erosion and retain water where it is needed. However, the impact of SWC measures on soil fertility, crop yield, and adoption status is not well known. The objective of the study was to examine the roles of Soil and Water Conservation measures on soil fertility, crop yield, and the adoption status of physical soil and water conservation measures on Merazit-Bargba watershed of the dehana district. To achieve these objectives use both social survey and soil experiments. From soil experiments were taken soil sample both treated and un-treated plots using a composite method and soil sample laboratory result was recorded then analyzed with one-way ANOVA. The other was a social survey from this to use probit model and analysis it. Soil laboratory analysis results indicate that the most of the chemical and physical property of soil was significant which implies the conservation of soil water was not effective, but some of stone bund and bunch terrace to improve the chemical and physical property. In the social survey result revealed that about 80.4% of the households were adopted SWC practice in the study area. This SWC practice adoption reduced the impact of soil erosion, which means to improve soil fertility and crop yields. In general, the SWC practice didn’t bring change in crop yield in the study area except on the tef yield which was significant at 10% level of significance. Generally, the study area soil characteristics won’t acidity, it’s suitable for crop production and the adoption of SWC practice was effective. As a recommendation district agriculture office and other responsible organizations must improve the SWC practice and implement it continually to achieve sustainable developments. Mon, 18 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/13578 2022-04-18T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/12199 ENERGY PRODUCTION USING ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF WATER HYACINTH AND NUTRIENT RECOVERY FROM BIOGAS DIGESTATE Wubayehu Mesfin Water hyacinth is free-floating aquatic weed, which has both negative and positive effects on environment and human beings. This research aimed on the investigation of the Energy production using anaerobic digestion and nutrient recovery from biogas digestate, in up flow bubble column bioreactor for production of energy and nutrient recovery. The study was conducted at College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, limnology and water quality laboratory from April (2020) to January (2021). The experiment was performed at pH range of 6.5-7.5, temperature of 37ºC (mesophilic conditions) and at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 3 and 6 days. 1mL/L of trace element was added into substrate to activate the microbial activity during anaerobic digestion. In this study, the proximate analysis of feedstock, composition of effluent and sludge were characterized as pH, nutrients, solid compositions, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and sludge volume index (SVI). The biogas produced was collected, monitored in gas collector bags and its volume was measured by a wet-type gas meter. The result showed that the total production of biogas was 38.42 L for a period of 90 days. The maximum biogas production rate was 2.35 L/day. Regarding to the composition of biogas, methane and carbon dioxide were found to be 50-75% and 5-45% respectively. While the composition of other gases were estimated as low as 5%. The daily yield of biogas was statically correlated with percentage of methane and carbon dioxide. Organic loading rate and hydraulic retention time have a significant (p< 0.005) effect on the yield of biogas. For a continuous type liquid phase anaerobic digestion process an optimum biogas production was found at organic loading rate of 3.5g COD/L/day, flow rate 0.096m^3/hr. and hydraulic retention time of 3 days. The concentration nutrients increased from 54 ±11.32% in influent to 69 ±9.36% effluent and from 3.97±1.92% influent to 7.47± 4.13% effluent. This shows the former for nitrate and the later one, for phosphate concentration. These nutrients recovered from the anaerobic digestion of water hyacinth can be used as liquid organic fertilizer. Overall, the digestion time, organic loading rate and temperature were found the main operating conditions for the production of biogas during liquid phase anaerobic digestion process. Key words/phrases: Anaerobic digestion, Water hyacinth, Biogas, Organic loading rate, Nutrient recovery.  Wed, 14 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/12199 2021-07-14T00:00:00Z