Effects of Terracing Methods on Conserving Physicochemical Properties of Soil in Kenna Woreda of Konso Zone, South Ethiopia Regional Government, Ethiopia

Terracing as a land management practice is one of the most effective physical soil conservation measures that can improve soil productivity in undulating lands with hills and slopes. This study was initiated to gain better insight into the impact of terracing practices on the conservation of selected soil properties in Kenna District, Konso Zone, South Ethiopia Regional Government, Ethiopia. In this study, a total of 24 composite soil samples were collected from terraced and its corresponding nonterraced fields across three different slope gradients at a fixed soil depth (0–30 cm) replicated four times. Terraced plots and corresponding nonterraced plots were subjected to one‐way ANOVA to compare their mean variations. To test whether terracing practices effectively maintain the soil properties across different slope gradients, two‐way ANOVA was applied. The analysis result revealed that the sand and clay content of the soil was significantly influenced by the effectiveness of terrace construction ( p < 0.05). Terraced areas had higher clay content and lower sand content than nonterraced areas. The average contents of sand and clay were 43.5% and 35.5% in terraced areas and 47.7% and 32.2% in nonterraced areas, respectively. Soil bulk density, moisture content, organic matter, total nitrogen, exchangeable basic cations, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation rate were significantly influenced by the interaction effects of terracing practice and slope gradient ( p < 0.05). Terracing practices minimize soil loss through erosion in hilly and steeply sloped terrain and improve soil nutrients. Therefore, it is recommended that terraces be installed on various slopes, especially steep slopes, to maintain and enhance the physicochemical properties of the soil.