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<p>Although agroforestry is known to enhance soil fertility, the interactive effects of land use type and slope remain poorly understood. This study assesses the combined influence of homegarden, parkland, and monocropping systems across slope gradients on soil fertility in Misrak Fonko, central Ethiopia, to support sustainable smallholder land management. Soil samples were collected using a factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) from three land use types (homegarden, parkland, and monocropping) across three slope gradients: upper (&gt; 30%), middle (15–30%), and lower (3–15%). A total of 27 composite samples were obtained from the 0 to 20&#xa0;cm soil depth with three replications for each land use and slope combination. The results indicated that soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Av. P), soil organic carbon (SOC), and percent base saturation (PBS) differed significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) among agroforestry systems and across slope gradients. Soils under homegarden systems exhibited the highest values of pH (6.68), Av. P (45.9&#xa0;mg&#xa0;kg<sup>−</sup>1), TN (0.19%), and SOC (3.8%), followed by parkland soils with pH (6.75), Av. P (39.5&#xa0;mg&#xa0;kg<sup>−</sup>1), TN (0.16%), and SOC (2.4%). Monocropping systems recorded the lowest values, with pH (5.4), Av. P (12.6&#xa0;mg&#xa0;kg<sup>−</sup>1), TN (0.15%), and SOC (1.7%). Overall, monocropping exhibited significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) lower soil fertility compared to homegarden and parkland systems. Soil properties varied significantly (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) with slope gradient, with the lowest fertility observed on the steepest slopes (&gt; 30%). Soil pH increased from 5.17 (&gt; 30%) to 6.04 (15–30%) and 6.64 (3–15%). Similarly, Av. P increased from 18.9 to 41.2 and 45.5&#xa0;mg&#xa0;kg<sup>−</sup>1, TN from 0.11 to 0.14% and 0.15%, SOC from 1.61 to 2.02% and 2.5% across the upper, middle, and lower slopes, respectively. Homegardens and parklands exhibited higher soil fertility than monocropping, while soil nutrients increased from upper to lower slopes. The findings highlight that integrating agroforestry with slope-specific management can improve soil fertility and support sustainable smallholder agriculture.</p>

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Interactive effects of agroforestry systems and slope gradient on soil fertility in smallholder landscapes of Central Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月22日

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  • Kebamo Taye,
  • Belayneh Bufebo,
  • Tamrat Sinore,
  • Yishak Beyene,
  • Mekiso Yohannes Sido

摘要

Although agroforestry is known to enhance soil fertility, the interactive effects of land use type and slope remain poorly understood. This study assesses the combined influence of homegarden, parkland, and monocropping systems across slope gradients on soil fertility in Misrak Fonko, central Ethiopia, to support sustainable smallholder land management. Soil samples were collected using a factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) from three land use types (homegarden, parkland, and monocropping) across three slope gradients: upper (> 30%), middle (15–30%), and lower (3–15%). A total of 27 composite samples were obtained from the 0 to 20 cm soil depth with three replications for each land use and slope combination. The results indicated that soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Av. P), soil organic carbon (SOC), and percent base saturation (PBS) differed significantly (p < 0.05) among agroforestry systems and across slope gradients. Soils under homegarden systems exhibited the highest values of pH (6.68), Av. P (45.9 mg kg−1), TN (0.19%), and SOC (3.8%), followed by parkland soils with pH (6.75), Av. P (39.5 mg kg−1), TN (0.16%), and SOC (2.4%). Monocropping systems recorded the lowest values, with pH (5.4), Av. P (12.6 mg kg−1), TN (0.15%), and SOC (1.7%). Overall, monocropping exhibited significantly (p < 0.01) lower soil fertility compared to homegarden and parkland systems. Soil properties varied significantly (p < 0.001) with slope gradient, with the lowest fertility observed on the steepest slopes (> 30%). Soil pH increased from 5.17 (> 30%) to 6.04 (15–30%) and 6.64 (3–15%). Similarly, Av. P increased from 18.9 to 41.2 and 45.5 mg kg−1, TN from 0.11 to 0.14% and 0.15%, SOC from 1.61 to 2.02% and 2.5% across the upper, middle, and lower slopes, respectively. Homegardens and parklands exhibited higher soil fertility than monocropping, while soil nutrients increased from upper to lower slopes. The findings highlight that integrating agroforestry with slope-specific management can improve soil fertility and support sustainable smallholder agriculture.