Effect of agricultural land management practices on the selected soil quality indictors: empirical evidences from the south Ethiopian highlands

Background Land degradation is a major challenge that adversely affects soil fertility, agricultural production, and environmental sustainability. To curb this, various agricultural land management (ALM) measures have been practiced for the last three decades. This research investigated the effects of ALM practices on selected soil quality indicators in the Ojoje sub-watershed, Southern Ethiopia Highlands. A total of 72 composite soil samples were collected from non-treated and treated plots (i.e., land treated for 5 and 10 years with only physical practices and integrated measures) at a depth of 0-20 cm. A one-way ANOVA was used to demonstrate statistically significant variations on soil quality indicators. Simple regression analysis was used to explain the proportional variance of soil quality indicators due to ALM measures. Result The findings of the study indicate that integrated ALM practices have positive effects on the soil quality indicators. Most soil quality indicators, such as the soil organic carbon, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, sulfur, boron and percentage of cation exchange capacity, were significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) as a result of ALM practices. However, soil bulk density, potassium and percentage of silt contents were higher, but the difference was insignificant. Thus, the mean value of soil quality indicators increased steadily with age of intervention and application of integrated physical and biological conservation measures. Conclussion ALM practices had stronger effects when land was treated with integrated ALM measures and conserved for an extended period of time. Hence, integrating ALM practices and maintaining them for the long term is crucial for improving soil quality and enhancing agricultural productivity.