Soil organic carbon and associated soil properties in Enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw. Cheesman)-based homegardens in Ethiopia

Enset (Ensete ventricosum Welw. Cheesman)-based homegardens have long been practiced as central elements of agricultural land management and food security in south southwest Ethiopia. In contrast to the homegardens’ biodiversity role security, soil quality has received little attention. Objective this study was assess parameters typical comparison with adjacent croplands, both under continuous for >30 years. The undertaken at high (2200–2330 masl), mid (1799–1849 low (1349–1381 masl) elevation Omo-Gibe basin, Through interviews 49 randomly selected farm households, sampling six paired sites elevations, five elevation, we found that majority household waste manure were less frequently tilled. By contrast, some, but not all, croplands occasionally inorganic fertilizer. Homegarden had significantly greater (P < 0.05) organic carbon (SOC) concentrations than croplands. At 0–20 cm depth, SOC (22.4–26.4 mg g?1 soil) twice (11.5–12.7 g-1 soil). Most likely lower content cropland due limited input matter intensive tillage. top 60 homegarden soils stored 21–32 Mg ha-1 more Homegardens a stock elevation. Hot water extractable (labile) levels (540–649 ?g three times (106–207 strongly correlated concentration (R2 = 0.85, homegardens). fraction water-stable macro-aggregates (>0.5 mm) positively cropland. Our results show traditional represent sustainable form cropping system, enhancing concentration, structure fertility.